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i�1 I rr irz. <br /> 4J �G <br /> I U .- <br /> iW <br /> CH <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> Friday,December 8, 2006 4:00 PM <br /> Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications& Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 <br /> South Bend—Mayor Stephen J. Luecke announced today that Sharon Kendall has <br /> submitted her resignation as Executive Director of Community and Economic <br /> Development effective January 1, 2007. Ms. Kendall will be moving to Indianapolis <br /> where she will continue her career in community and economic development. Mayor <br /> Luecke stated, "Sharon Kendall has been a valued member of my administrative team for <br /> two and a half years,working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the City and its <br /> residents. She came in at a difficult time of transition, filling a vacancy and providing <br /> leadership to stabilize the department, complete numerous projects and direct new <br /> initiatives. I am grateful for her dedicated service." <br /> As Executive Director, Kendall successfully oversaw the completion of City Plan, <br /> South Bend's new comprehensive plan for the next twenty years of growth and <br /> development. This staff driven process was remarkable for its community outreach, <br /> involving thousands of residents in scores of meetings to ensure that the community was <br /> fully engaged in the plan. It will be an important guide for development in the future. <br /> During her tenure, South Bend reestablished a strong retail sector on the south side of the <br /> city; entered a partnership with a local developer for a 400 acre mixed use development <br /> on the northwest side of town; and strengthened downtown with new restaurants and a <br /> fifteen story condominium project that will break ground next year. The department is <br /> also clearing many of the dinosaur industrial buildings that have blighted the city <br /> landscape for decades, making way for new investment and new jobs. Work is underway <br /> on a $200 million redevelopment plan for the Northeast Neighborhood,which embraces <br /> new urbanist principles. It will include retail shops, a hotel, new housing and a research <br /> park. This development is the result of a strong partnership with the neighborhood, the <br /> University of Notre Dame and other institutional partners. The City has also formed a <br /> unique partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to identify and support high impact <br /> businesses in South Bend that have the capacity to bring new investment and new jobs. <br /> -more- <br />