HomeMy WebLinkAbout5B1 Budget Request (Morris Garage Design) - SignedSouth Bend
Redevelopment Commission
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana
Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item
DATE : 3/9/2026
FROM: Joseph Molnar,
Assistant Director, Growth & Opportunity
SUBJECT: Budget Request
Morris Parking Garage Design
Funding Source* (circle) River West; River East; South Side; Douglas Road; West Washington; RDC General; Riv. East Res.
* Funds are subject to the City Controller's determination of availability; if funds are unavailable, as solely determined by the City Controller,
then the authorization of the expenditure of such funds shall be void and of no effect.
PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Approval of $2,000,000 for Design and Site Preparation for the Morris Performing Arts Center Parking
Garage
SPECIFICS:
Over the past few years, the City has completed multiple phases of The NeverEnding Encore which was
the culmination of the 100-year anniversary of the Morris Performing Arts Center. Phase I was
approximately $10 Million in improvements in the existing historical theater. Phase II was the newly
completed Raclin Murphy Encore Center, which is a 20,000 square foot expansion attached to the Morris.
Phase III has been envisioned as a new approximate 473 space parking garage attached to the western
portion of the Raclin Murphy Encore Center.
In addition to The NeverEnding Encore project, the Redevelopment Commission released a Request for
Proposals for a partnership to add a residential apartment building adjacent to the proposed parking
garage. The Redevelopment Commission voted on July 10, 2025, to proceed with negotiations with local
development firm 7 Diamonds. City staff have had ongoing negotiations with 7 Diamonds and hope to
have a finalized Development Agreement to present to the RDC this summer.
The attached Budget Request would provide funding for the full design of the proposed parking garage as
well as funding for required site preparation that is needed to be completed in 2026 including the
demolition of the former South Bend Water Works building, removal of existing parking lots, and site
grading in preparation for construction to begin in 2027. Full funding for the construction of the parking
garage will require multiple funding streams including donated funds from private partners. The
requested funding will provide all needed funding prior to full construction.
______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres
ATTEST: __________ ________Secretary
Date: _____________ _______
APPROVED Not Approved
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 12, 2026
South Bend
Redevelopment Commission
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana
A fully finished parking garage will complete the overhaul and modernization of the Morris Performing
Arts Center, ensuring the theater’s success as a staple in downtown South Bend as well as providing
needed parking for north downtown.
Staff recommends approval.