HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-08 New condominiums will overlook downtown skyline
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
September 5, 2008
1 p.m.
New condominiums will overlook downtown skyline
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
or Jennifer Laurent, Economic Development Specialist, 235-9371
A prime site along the East Bank of the St. Joseph River with a stunning view of
downtown South Bend will soon be home to a landmark development of riverfront
condominiums, after action today by South Bend’s Redevelopment Commission.
Place Builders Inc. is seeking to buy the former Rink Riverside site northwest of Colfax
Avenue and Sycamore Street to develop a $3.85 million, urban-oriented residential
brownstone project. The 11 condominiums will sell in the $400,000 to $450,000 price
range. Place Builders will break ground this fall on the first three units, which could be
constructed by spring. Completion of the entire project is anticipated by fall 2010.
The site is the former home of Rink Riverside Printing, acquired in 2005 by the
Redevelopment Commission, which cleared the industrial structure from the property.
Since then, the site has been marketed to potential developers while serving as a home to
ArtBeat and other downtown festivals. The Commission authorized staff to formulate a
contract accepting Place Builders’ offer of $150,000 for the site, which was appraised in
2005 at $337,500. The move will ensure success of the project while still providing the
City with funds to assist with infrastructure needs for the site, including sewer and water
connections, riverbank cleanup and improvements to preserve and enhance the public
walkway along the river.
“A new housing development is not something you would expect in the nation’s
economic climate right now. But the City has prepared the way for this exciting
residential development through its targeted redevelopment efforts and focused, market-
based planning for future growth along the East Bank,” said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke.
“These new condominiums will provide a premium option for young professionals,
retired couples or others seeking the quality of life provided by a residence overlooking
downtown and connected to our Riverwalk.”
The Commission also reviewed preliminary design concepts for the units and considered
the experience and capacity of Place Builders to complete the project.
The two-level condominiums come “with amenities that capture a wide audience of
potential owners, a site plan that maximizes the views of the St. Joseph River, and a
residential use and density of development that is supported by the recently approved
East Bank Plan,” said Jennifer Laurent, economic development specialist with the
Department of Community and Economic Development. “We intend to continue working
with Place Builders to refine the design and orientation of the units to best fit with the
context of the site.”
With 2,000 square feet of space per unit, the condominiums will include elevators,
parking for two vehicles and customized amenities and finishes. Energy Star-certified,
the green project will include high-efficiency appliances and environmentally sensitive
construction materials, including recycled ceramics and bamboo flooring.
Based in South Bend, Place Builders has developed a series of successful, high-quality
residential subdivisions, villas and town homes, including Laurel Creek, Ironwood Villas,
Savannah Pass and Gumwood Crossing. The firm is led by Andy Place Sr., who recently
earned the certified green professional designation administered by the International
Builders Association Housing University in conjunction with the National Association of
Home Builders University of Housing, and his son, Andy Place Jr.
“We are moving ahead with this project now because there is or will be nothing like it in
downtown. The units themselves will have an historic feel with the modern comforts,”
said Andy Place Jr. “There will be a market for those that want to be closer to downtown.
The Mayor is doing a fabulous job reinventing the downtown area.”
Nearly a year ago, Place Builders contacted the City to explore possible sites for the
project, visiting several spots with representatives of the Community and Economic
Development department before settling on one of South Bend’s prime development
sites. “My experience with the City has been tremendous,” Place said. “We can’t wait to
get started. We have a couple other areas that we want to explore downtown.”
In July, the Redevelopment Commission gave final approval to a downtown development
strategy for the “East Bank Village,” the neighborhood along the river bounded by
LaSalle Avenue on the north, Jefferson Boulevard on the south and east to Hill Street.
The plan envisioned waterfront recreation, expanded green space and walkable urban
mixed-use development. Land use planning for the former Rink Riverside site
specifically called for residential housing or condominiums similar to the plan proposed
by Place Builders.
Phase 2 of planning for the East Bank will begin this fall with focused conversations with
residents, business owners and other stakeholders for the area south of Jefferson along the
river to Eddy Street. The Holladay Group, a national development firm based in South
Bend, again has offered to volunteer its time in leading the planning process in
consultation with a Chicago-based consulting firm, JJR, which has been hired by the City
to create the master plan.
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