HomeMy WebLinkAbout5B2 Budget Request (Demo and Design River Glenn) - 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: Demolition of former River Glen Office Park
and Design Funding
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: $1,700,000 for the demolition of three office buildings at River Glen Office Park
and Design Funding for redevelopment
SPECIFICS:
The Redevelopment Commission acquired the former River Glen Office Park in 2024 for the purposes of
redeveloping the valuable five-acre river adjacent property. The Redevelopment Commission issued a
Request for Proposals for the site and RDC staff have had continued ongoing discussions with multiple
different developers. Through the RFP process and discussions with developers, it became clear that the
existing buildings are not suitable for redevelopment in their current layout and will need to be
demolished for the site to reach its full potential.
Upkeep costs and carrying costs for the three existing former office buildings are currently the
responsibility of the Redevelopment Commission. Spending additional resources on the buildings with
knowledge that they will not be redeveloped is counterproductive. The proposed budget request provides
funding for the demolition of the buildings in 2026 and site preparation for eventual redevelopment. This
will save RDC funding currently being expended on management and upkeep of the buildings.
Also included in this Budget Request is funding for design costs for the redevelopment of the property.
The City envisions the five plus acre site being fully redeveloped which will require considerable design of
possible changes to right-of-way and utilities similar in scale to the redevelopment spearheaded by J.C.
Hart to the immediate north of River Glen. Having these design funds allocated now will allow City staff to
be proactive in design considerations for potential redevelopment. This will allow for more accurate total
costs of redevelopment as RDC staff further negotiate with potential developers.
Staff recommends approval.
______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres
ATTEST: __________ ________Secretary
Date: _____________ _______
APPROVED Not Approved
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 12, 2026