09-20-2007 New Weed & Seed grant highlights westside investment (2)

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Wellington Street, Ford Street, Harris Street, Washington Street and Durham Street. The city has spent more than $100,000 in housing rehabilitation with additional resources (through the Commercial Corridor program) for new streetscape and commercial building rehabilitation along Western Avenue. Already for 2007 through 2009, the city is spending more than $70,000 to build the new LaSalle Park pavilion as well as additional resources to create a walking trail in the park. Work also will begin for new curbs and sidewalks along Wellington Street from Jefferson to Western, along with improvements to the Walnut/Western intersection. The city also has set aside resources to demolish the former El Brien Vecino building at 404 S. Walnut St. The west side has seen continual investments—from the more than $4 million in investment through the three Commercial Corridors to the construction of a new $2.1- million Fire Station No. 2 at Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Lincolnway West. Western Avenue alone has received nearly $1.6 million in investment since 1999 through the city's commercial corridor program, behind only South Gateway(Michigan and Main streets) and Lincolnway West. With the relocation of the Studebaker Museum to a new $9.6-million facility, it created a new museum campus on the west side that soon will be joined by the $1.3-million renovation of the Studebaker Archives building and the $1.5-million conversion of the former Natatorium into a new Civil Rights Heritage Museum. One of the most significant investments citywide is the $40 million grant received this spring is for the St. Joseph County Salvation Army to build the new Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center at Western and Chapin. South Bend was among 10 Midwestern cities —the only one in Indiana—chosen to pre-qualify for a share of Joan Kroc's $1.6 billion bequest to the Salvation Army, the largest philanthropic gift ever given to a nonprofit. Construction will begin in early spring 2008. The facility will open in fall 2009. The city has pledged $1 million toward the $10 million local fund-raising match. The world-class youth and family center will provide access to a broad range of human services under one roof. When The Salvation Army of St. Joseph County Kroc Center opens in fall 2009, it is expected to fuel business investment, increase property values and instill a renewed sense of community pride. According to figures provided by the Salvation Army, the Kroc Center will have a direct impact on the local economy of: ■ $14.5 million for construction payroll and building materials. ■ $1.86 million for furnishings, technology and miscellaneous expenses. ■ $3.25 million in design and construction fees. ■ 40 new full- and part-time jobs with annual payroll and benefits starting at $1.8 million. ■ Other expenditures by the Salvation Army Kroc Center, starting at $1.6 million. Opposite the Housing Authority's Monroe Circle housing complex, the city also is supporting a$750,000 renovation by Granger Community Church of the Monroe Circle Community Center on Western Avenue toward becoming a dynamic neighborhood outreach center. With the addition of LaSalle Square to the Airport Tax Increment Finance district, the