HomeMy WebLinkAbout2A Redevelopment Commission Minutes 12.11.25 - Signed
South Bend
Redevelopment Commission
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana
Minutes
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2025 – 9:30 a.m.
City Hall Council Chambers 3rd Floor or via:
https://tinyurl.com/RDC2025-2026-Meetings
Meeting Recording Link: https://tinyurl.com/RDC-Meeting-Recordings
The South Bend Redevelopment Commission was called to order at 9:32 a.m.
President Troy Warner presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Troy Warner, President
Dave Relos, Vice President
Eli Wax, Secretary
Gillian Shaw, Commissioner
Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Commissioner
Members Absent: Marcus Ellison, Non-Voting Advisor
Legal Counsel: Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Asst. City Attorney
Redevelopment Staff: Caleb Bauer, Executive Director, DCI
Sarah Schaefer, Deputy Director, DCI
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, DCI
Lewis Kouassi, Director of Finance, DCI
Joseph Molnar, Asst. Dir. of Growth and Opp., DCI
Erin Michaels, Property Development Manager, DCI
Tim Corcoran, Chief Planner, DCI
Allison Doctor, Project Manager, DCI
Leslie Biek, Assistant City Engineer
Laura Hensley, Board Secretary, DCI
Attending: Jeff Carroll, Markley Dr.
Matt Barrett, 110 S. Niles Ave.
Skip Morrell, Columbus, OH
Chris Gallowik, Abonmarche
Abraham Gordillo, 2048 E. Ireland
Andee Huxhold, 521 S. St. Joseph St.
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Clinton Bell, 521 S. St. Joseph St.
Sam Centellas, 2740 Miami St.
AJ Sime, GM of the Liberty Tower
Mark Neal, Bradley Co.
2. Approval of Minutes
A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, November 24,
2025
Upon a motion by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers for approval, second by Gillian
Shaw, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the
minutes of the regular meeting of November 24, 2025.
3. Approval of Claims
A. Claims Allowances October 14, 2025
No action was taken for this item, as these claims allowances had already
been previously approved on November 13, 2025.
B. Claims Allowances October 21, 2025
No action was taken for this item, as these claims allowances had already
been previously approved on November 13, 2025.
C. Claims Allowances November 4, 2025
Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, second by Ophelia Gooden-
Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the
claims allowances of November 4, 2025.
D. Claims Allowances November 18, 2025
Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, second by Ophelia Gooden-
Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the
claims allowances of November 18, 2025.
E. Claims Allowances November 25, 2025
Upon a motion by David Relos for approval second by Ophelia Gooden-
Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the
claims allowances of November 25, 2025.
4. Old Business
A. None
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5. New Business
A. River West Development Area
1. Approval of Request for Proposal (State Theatre)
Erin Michaels, Property Development Manager, presented the Request
for Proposal (RFP) for the former State Theatre. Ms. Michaels gave a site
overview with nearby amenities which include.
• Main Wayne Parking Garage (1 block away, city-owned)
• City Hall Parking Garage (1 block away, city-owned)
• Dainty Maid Food Hall (across the street)
• Grand Leader Boutique Hotel (under development)
The State Theatre was acquired by the Commission in May 2025. Built in
1919, it is one of the few remaining historic theaters in the city. The
building includes four storefront spaces, a theater lobby and auditorium,
and office space on the second floor. However, after more than a decade
of disinvestment, the property requires complete interior rehabilitation.
All seats have been removed from the auditorium, and significant
upgrades are needed throughout. The structure offers approximately
42,000 square feet of usable space, is zoned DT Downtown, and is
located in the Michigan Street Corridor.
The focus of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is to establish a public-
private partnership for a full rehabilitation of the existing building. This
will not be a simple sale; the city intends to remain involved due to the
complexity and historic nature of the project. The RFP packet will
include submission and project requirements, evaluation criteria, and
process details, and all proposals must comply with DT Downtown
zoning regulations.
If approved, the RFP will be released today. Proposals are due by April 9,
2026, with interviews scheduled between April 13 and May 29, 2026.
Following interviews, staff will review submissions and provide a
recommendation to the Commission on June 11, 2026.
Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Gillian Shaw, the
motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Request as
presented on December 11, 2025.
2. First Amendment to Development Agreement (Liberty Tower)
Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity,
presented a First Amendment to the development agreement for Liberty
Tower, the tallest building downtown. The original agreement, approved
in April 2023 by the Redevelopment Commission, called for renovating
the top floors into apartments, improving the parking garage, and
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creating a commercial space on the 7th floor. The agreement required a
minimum private investment of $13.1 million and included a $1.6 million
contribution from the Commission, primarily for parking garage
improvements. The deadline for completion was set for the end of 2025.
To date, the developer has exceeded the private investment
commitment, and apartment units are nearly finished, with leasing
expected soon despite minor delays caused by supply chain issues earlier
in the year. The parking garage improvements are complete, and
amenities such as a gym have been added. The 7th-floor commercial
space, initially envisioned as a bar, is still under review due to fire
department concerns, and alternative options are being considered.
The proposed amendment includes several key changes: increasing the
minimum private investment to $18 million, extending the completion
deadline for apartments and garage improvements to June 30, 2026, and
revising the commercial space requirement to allow flexibility in
location—either the 7th floor or the ground floor on Washington Street.
This adjustment ensures the developer can meet technical requirements
while enhancing street-level activity. Most of the project is expected to
be complete well before the new deadline, with occupancy anticipated in
early 2026.
AJ Sime, GM of Aloft, would like to thank the Redevelopment
Commission and the city administration for their support throughout
this project. The 88 Class A apartments will be coming online very soon,
and as the General Manager of the Loft Hotel located in the same
building, I’m excited to see the entire property completed and fully
operational. This has truly been a decade in the making, and we
appreciate everyone’s assistance in bringing it to fruition.
Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers inquired about apartment pricing, and
Mr. Sime explained that rents are projected to range from $2.20 to
$2.75 per square foot, with final rates determined by market conditions.
These apartments will represent some of the highest-quality options in
the local market.
Secretary Wax inquired about the commercial space, Mr. Sime explained
that the amendment maintains a broad requirement that it be open to
the public. Several potential concepts have been discussed, including
event space to complement the hotel and publicly accessible food and
beverage offerings. The objective is to ensure the chosen use is both
financially viable and aligned with the terms of the agreement.
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Mark Neal with the Bradley Co. also explained that the owner has been
carefully monitoring activity throughout the city to ensure that any
future plans complement both the hotel and the new apartments within
the building. At the same time, the goal is to add something that aligns
with other developments downtown. This cautious approach reflects a
desire to create a use that is truly complementary. Discussions have
included retail concepts, food and hospitality options, and even a
potential showcase space. For now, the primary focus remains on
completing the apartments, which has been a significant undertaking
given the scope of the project. As noted, the owner has already invested
over $20 million into this expansion and wants to proceed thoughtfully—
measuring twice and cutting once—before moving into the next phase.
Secretary Wax noted that the 7th-floor event space was originally
included to qualify for public participation in the project. Caleb Bauer,
Executive Director of Community Investment, explained that while the
event space was one aspect of public benefit, a publicly accessible
commercial space could also meet that requirement. He added that
adding more housing downtown provides significant public benefit by
increasing population and economic activity. Secretary Wax emphasized
that the original intent was to include a feature for public use, not just
private apartments or high-end retail. He supports flexibility in the plan
but wants to ensure any changes remain consistent with the original
vision.
President Warner asked if a six-month extension is enough time for the
commercial or public-use space to be developed? I understand the
agreement doesn’t require space to have tenants by then, but I’m curious
about whether that timeline is realistic. Mr. Molnar explained the
commercial space has an 18-month extension, giving them ample time to
ensure everything is done right. Commissioner Wax also asked for
updates and Mr. Molnar is happy to do that.
Vice President Relos asked about the restaurant that used to exist in the
basement, Mr. Sime stated, aside from some hotel services and the
fitness center, there’s no longer a food and beverage concept in the
basement. However, the hotel offers an excellent made-to-order
breakfast on the main level, along with food from the WXYZ kitchen for
the bar. With this development, there are also discussions about
introducing additional food and beverage options. The Summit Club will
not be returning, and the 26th floor has been converted into apartments.
Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Eli Wax, the
motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Amendment
as presented on December 11, 2025.
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3. Certificate of Completion (Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub)
Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity,
presented agenda items 5A3 & 4 together. The building now known as
the Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub was formerly the Salvation Army
building on Main Street downtown South Bend. Mr. Molnar showed a
photo for context and explained the City purchased it several years
before the photo was taken and used the northern portion as a weather
amnesty shelter for a few years. That program has since moved to a
purpose-built space at the Center for the Homeless, leaving this building
vacant. Today, if you drive down Main Street, you’ll see an attractive,
fully renovated building with open windows and thoughtful design. In
May, the City entered into a purchase agreement with the Momentum
Group to redevelop the former Salvation Army building. The agreement
required $6 million private investment and completion within 36
months, along with specific commitments such as a commercial kitchen
in the northern section. The developer exceeded the investment
requirement and fully opened the building this fall (2025), meeting all
commitments ahead of schedule. Inside, the first floor has been
completely redeveloped into entrepreneurship spaces. Individuals—such
as attorneys or small businesses—can rent office suites, and there are
common areas designed to foster collaboration. The building also
features a full-service bar on the first floor that is open to the public.
The certificate of completion confirms that Momentum met all
obligations under the purchase agreement, and the Redevelopment
Commission has certified the project as complete. This means the City
no longer retains any rights to reclaim the property. At the same time
the purchase agreement was approved, an option agreement was
created for five surrounding parcels, primarily parking lots supporting
the building. The RDC also agreed to fund improvements to those lots,
which have now been completed. Momentum has exercised its option,
and the RDC will finalize the sale of those parcels for $1,000, as
previously approved. The map shows the building outlined in red and the
five parcels marked with stars. These parcels will now be transferred to
Momentum, formalizing ownership after all improvements. The final
image highlights the building and upgrades parking lot. For context, the
same ownership group also invested significantly in the Soma building
just south of this site, and the two properties share parking.
Mark Neal of the Momentum Development Group stated he wanted to
briefly highlight what’s been accomplished and express their deep
gratitude to the Commission for supporting this project. This building is
now an anchor on the south end of downtown, and we’re thrilled with
the outcome. The entrepreneurship hub will provide significant
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programming for the community, helping both new and experienced
entrepreneurs make an impact. We’ve created jobs as expected under
the tax abatement and anticipate continued growth. Thank you again for
your support—this project has been a long time in the making, and we
couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Commissioners Wax, Shaw,
and Gooden-Rodgers spoke in favor of the project.
Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Gillian Shaw, the
motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Certificate
of Completion as presented on December 11, 2025.
4. Resolution No. 3659 Approving Site Plans and Execution of Real Estate
Purchase Agreement (Momentum Development Group, LLC)
Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Ophelia Gooden-
Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved
Resolution No. 3659 approving Site Plans and Execution of the Real
Estate Purchase Agreement as presented on December 11, 2025.
5. First Amendment to Purchase Agreement (Property Bros.)
Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity,
presented agenda items 5A5-7 together. All three agenda items relate to
the Property Bros development and purchase agreement for parcels in
the Near Northwest neighborhood, just north of Lincoln Way.
In June 2024, the RDC sold three properties—619 Sherman, 620
Sherman, 1021½ and 1023 ½ Lincoln Way West—with a commitment to
build duplexes. Property Bros also added two additional parcels for
duplex construction. Since then, the developer has completed four
structures, meeting unit count and investment requirements. One
remaining parcel was not needed and will be returned to the RDC.
The amendments reflect this return and remove the parcel from the
development agreement. The certificate of completion confirms all other
commitments were met, and RDC will have no further claim on the
completed parcels. In short: the developer fulfilled obligations, and this
action simply finalizes the return of an unused lot.
Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked if you could explain what
happened with the third property. Mr. Molnar stated that the developer
made significant investments beyond their original estimates on the
other parcels and was able to build more units than expected. They’ve
already met their unit count and investment commitments, and the City
has fulfilled its financial obligations for the project. Since this parcel isn’t
needed to meet those commitments, and the developer is now pursuing
a larger project in the same neighborhood, we agreed it would be best
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for Developer to return the land and close out these agreements. This
allows us to pivot ourselves toward the new development, which we
believe will be transformative for the area.
Vice President Relos inquired about how the original agreement was
structured to require construction specifically on Lincoln Way West. Mr.
Molnar explained that yes, that’s why this amendment updates the
agreement to reflect what was actually built and returns the parcel to
RDC. One advantage of multi-parcel projects is that they provide scale
and volume; having this single parcel back supports that approach.
Secretary Wax expressed concern that, since multi-parcel projects
benefit from added scale, returning this single parcel might limit its
development potential and create an isolated lot. Mr. Molnar explained
that the RDC and BPW still own many nearby properties—north of
Lincoln Way West and on North Sherman—so there is ample remaining
inventory. This parcel could still be included in future scattered-site
development and is not the only city-owned property in the
neighborhood.
Mr. Jordan Richardson with Property Bros. thanked the city for its
support and shared that the team successfully completed a challenging
duplex project. With the help of an outstanding team, they delivered
unique housing styles with strong returns. While the Lincoln Way lot was
not developed, other exciting projects are underway. He expressed
gratitude for the City’s trust and support.
Matt Barrett asked whether neighbors receive any notice before a
certificate of completion is issued, noting that while it may not be legally
required, he wondered if any notification process exists. Caleb Bauer
stated that it is not part of our process for the certificate of completion.
Councilmen Canneth Lee expressed how proud he is of the work Jordan
and Tony have accomplished in the First District. They transformed a
blighted area into beautiful, high-quality duplexes—and did so quickly.
This project has been a tremendous benefit to our residents, and as the
First District representative, I fully support their efforts.
Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Asst. City Attorney, noted that when
issuing Certificates of Completion, we rely on the standards outlined in
the original purchase agreement. If the developer has met all required
commitments, we are obligated to issue the certificate. That is the basis
for our determination.
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Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Ophelia Gooden-
Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the
Amendment as presented on December 11, 2025.
6. Resolution No. 3660 Certificate of Completion (Property Bros.)
Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Gillian Shaw, the
motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved Resolution No.
3660 as presented on December 11, 2025.
7. First Amendment to Development Agreement (Property Bros.)
Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Gillian Shaw, the
motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the First
Amendment to Development Agreement as presented on December 11,
2025.
8. Budget Request (Union Station Planning/Analysis)
Allison Doctor, Project Manager, presented a $130,000 budget request
to support consulting services for Union Station. As you may recall, the
Redevelopment Commission acquired the historic building in August
2024 to explore restoring passenger rail service. Since then, staff have
evaluated its viability, met with Amtrak, and pursued federal funding.
Two key questions remain: whether a platform can be built between the
existing tracks and whether the station’s tunnel has the structural
integrity needed for passenger access. The city has engaged WSP, an
engineering firm specializing in rail and transit, to study both issues. Part
of this request would fund those analyses.
WSP also helped prepare our previous Federal Railroad Administration
funding application, which was paused during the federal funding freeze
but has now reopened with expanded funding. We recently had a
productive meeting with the FRA, and they encouraged us to reapply.
This request would also support updating the benefit-cost analysis and
strengthening our grant narrative. Completing these studies and
submitting a competitive application would significantly advance the
potential return of passenger rail service to downtown South Bend.
President Warner asked do we have any estimate— even a rough one—
of what the total cost might be to renovate the station and add
passenger rail service? I understand the study will help determine this,
but is there any ballpark figure at this stage? Ms. Doctor stated that for
this application, we’re only proposing preliminary planning and design.
Last year’s request was estimated at roughly $4.6–$4.7 million, but the
consultants provided a broader, high-level estimate of about $40 million
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when factoring in construction—though that could change. For now,
we’re taking small, deliberate steps to produce a strong application and
prepare for future funding stages.
Vice President Relos asked whether Amtrak already has operating rights
on this rail line, noting that while trains can pass through, they are not
currently permitted to stop—hence the existing stop in Michigan City.
He added that, unlike the South Shore, which lacks rights on this line,
Amtrak’s access makes Union Station a more feasible option.
Ms. Doctor explained that the original platform was located between the
two rail tracks, connected by a central tunnel beneath the station. The
tunnel leads from the middle of the building under the tracks and up to
the former platform area. The goal is to determine whether the platform
can be rebuilt and whether the tunnel can be safely reactivated for
passenger use.
Leslie Biek, Assistant City Engineer, also added that a major part of the
project will be ensuring ADA compliance. The original tunnel had steep
slopes leading up to the platform, so we would likely need to add an
elevator, or similar accessibility features to meet ADA standards.
Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers inquired about if we do need to reapply
for the grant, the next step—if we are not awarded funding—would be to
continue seeking other grant opportunities. Ms. Biek explained that this
isn’t a project the City can fully fund on its own, so additional external
funding would be essential. However, we can still move forward with the
feasibility work to strengthen future applications. Caleb Bauer also
added that we always plan for multiple paths forward. The success of a
project should never depend on a single funding source. While we’re
optimistic about this round—especially given the strong funding
available and positive feedback from the FRA—it isn’t our only option. If
we aren’t awarded this grant, we’ll continue pursuing other programs
and future funding rounds. Amtrak remains very interested, and we’re
committed to advancing the project. In past federal grant cycles, we’ve
often received guidance on how to strengthen our applications, and with
those adjustments, we’ve been successful the next time around.
Commissioner Shaw asked to clarify how long the feasibility analysis will
take, as well as the deadline for the grant application, and how those
timelines interact. Ms. Biek explained that the grant is due in early
February. The feasibility work for the center platform will take about six
months and require coordination with the railroad. Before submitting
the grant, we hope to review historical documents to better understand
the original conditions and what has changed since.
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Upon a motion by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers for approval, seconded by
David Relos, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved
the Budget Request as presented on December 11, 2025.
B. River West Development Area (Riverwalk Allocation Area)
1. Second Amendment to Development Agreement (J.C. Hart Co., Inc.)
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, reported that the JC
Hart Development Project on the west side of the St. Joseph River is
progressing, with demolition of the former Crowe building underway. JC
Hart purchased the southern portion of the campus, with City support
through the Redevelopment Commission.
The project includes two multifamily residential buildings with nearly
300 apartments and an approximately 400-space parking garage,
representing a $61.5 million private investment supported by a
developer-purchased TIF-backed bond. Key dates in the original 2025
development agreement included a project completion deadline of 2028
and a bond-closing deadline, later clarified through a March amendment.
A Second Amendment is proposed to extend both deadlines by one year
due to delays caused by extensive utility relocation coordination efforts
with AT&T, NIPSCO, and City departments. The project remains on
track, and approval of the deadline extension is requested, a project
completion deadline of December 31, 2029 and the bond closing
deadline is December 31, 2026.
Secretary Wax asked that aside from timing, did this have any impact on
the bond assessment? The process is highly technical, and the goal is to
use current valuations rather than future ones. Mr. Glavich explained
that all plans remain the same, and staff still intend to bring forward the
necessary steps to refresh the allocation area, so the January 1, 2026
assessment date becomes the base for calculating incremental revenues.
Those plans are unchanged from earlier this year.
Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Ophelia
Gooden-Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission
approved the Amendment as presented on December 11, 2025.
C. Redevelopment General Fund (a.k.a Pokagon-South Bend Fund)
1. Budget Request (Dismas House)
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, presented a budget
request in support of Dismas House of Indiana. Dismas House serves
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individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community,
and they recently purchased the former Habitat for Humanity building
on E. South Street to expand their programs. The building is in good
condition and now operates as the new Dismas Hub, which opened in
November 2025 and includes community space and residential units.
We are requesting $125,000 to help fund a new roof and other
necessary repairs. Any remaining funds would go toward reducing their
approximately $200,000 mortgage. If approved, we would work with
Dismas House on a donation agreement. Representatives from Dismas
House are here today.
Andee Huxhold, Executive Director and Clinton Bell, Community
Relations Manager of the Dismas House both stated that each year,
600,000 people return home from prison, most without stable housing,
employment, or support—resulting in two-thirds being re-incarcerated
within three years. At Dismas House, we provide a family-style,
supportive home that fosters healing and stability.
We currently have room for 13 residents, but more than 80 people are
on our waitlist. By expanding our model through the new Dismas Hub,
we can serve up to 500 individuals annually across St. Joseph County.
A program graduate shared how the supportive community helped him
rebuild his life—becoming a student at IUSB, engaging in local theater,
and contributing meaningfully to the community. Stories like his reflect
the impact of our work.
At the Hub, we offer case management, economic empowerment
programs, mental-health and substance-use treatment, and a monthly
health clinic. We also maintain an internal food pantry and are adding an
outdoor community fridge. The requested funds would support critical
building needs, including a $57,000 roof replacement and $7,000 in
basement and exterior repairs.
Commissioners Gooden-Rodgers, Wax, Warner, and Sam Centellas all
spoke in favor of this project.
Upon a motion by Troy Warner for approval, seconded by Ophelia
Gooden-Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission
approved the Budget Request as presented on December 11, 2025.
D. Administrative
1. Resolution No. 3657 (2026 RDC Meeting Schedule)
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Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Ophelia Gooden-
Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved
Resolution No. 3657 as presented on December 11, 2025.
6. Progress Reports
A. Tax Abatement
None
B. Common Council
None
C. Other
Erik Glavich gave an update on Devereux Peter’s The Monreaux Project,
which officially closed on its construction loan on Monday. Congratulations
to her, and kudos to Dani, Joe, Erin, the City staff, and the entire support
team — including Ann Mannix. It’s exciting to be at this stage and to look
forward to groundbreaking. Thank you to everyone, including the Council,
for your support.
Joseph Molnar also shared photos of Ivy Alley Social House, the project
approved last year just west of downtown. The family-friendly brewery with
duckpin bowling is nearing its opening. Erin and Allison toured the site
yesterday, and the transformation—especially the restored street-facing
windows—is remarkable compared to 18 months ago. The building’s curb
appeal is outstanding.
Caleb Bauer offered a few final updates, thanking staff for their extensive
work on several agreements and recognizing Dani for her efforts. He
reported that an agreement has been reached for the church on Harrison
Ave, which will proceed through the Board of Public Works for purchase,
with demolition bids expected to be advertised soon for early-2026 work.
The Redevelopment Commission will then explore redevelopment
opportunities for the site.
He also noted that the Common Council approved the purchase agreement
for the former Indiana Club on Indiana Avenue. The project will proceed to
the Board of Public Works, and the City will work with Kil Architecture on
due-diligence and design concepts, with plans to return to the Commission
for partnership on activating the site as a community center in collaboration
with the Boys & Girls Club.
Lastly, he reminded commissioners of next week’s meeting, the final one of
the year—which will include several important agreements.
7. Next Commission Meeting
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Thursday, December 18, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
8.Adjournment
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 10:56 a.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
Eli Wax, Secretary Troy Warner, President