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year from the federal government. Those funds are used for housing programs, social service <br />support and neighborhood revitalization efforts. 'The Federal Government used to offer grants or <br />Loans for Clean Water and iz~frastxucture improvements, but those days are long gone even <br />though the need is greater than ever across the country. I am also concerned about proposals to <br />limit state property tax relief anal Medicare expenses. The people affected by these changes live <br />in our communities. When there are cuts at the state and federal level, responsibility falls to <br />Local units of government. We will respond to meet the challenges. We will continue to provide <br />the services that our residents expect from us. We are resilient and resourceful. <br />Downtown <br />The heart of our city is beating strong. Continued growth of downtown is essential to the <br />health and welfare of our entire community. 2U04 brought a flurry of new activity. City Center <br />has been undergoing extensive renovations to the Holiday Inn and to office space. Bank One is <br />its newest tenant. The Marriott is also upgrading its facilities. Relocation of the Vine and the <br />expansion of the South Bend Chocolate Cafe are examples of continued vitality downtown. We <br />expect to see mare restaurants and new development along Michigan Street as part of the mix of <br />~ -~ <br />--~~__ <br />attractions. The pedestrian plaza on Gridiron Raw <br />creates a public gathering space for family activities <br />like Santa's House and music on Friday nights before <br />home football games. It will also be home to the new <br />Rockne statue. Our collaboration with DTSB has <br />renewed downtown with spaces to relax and enjoy <br />exciting events. There are beautiful flowers, planters, <br />new benches and trash receptacles. <br />The South Bend Community School Corporation is moving its headquarters to the heart <br />of our city. Their investment in an okl, underutilized building will become an asset to the new <br />look of downtown. We will complete renovation of the Main at Colfax garage and are working <br />with a developer an plans for a new office as part of a parking structure at Jefferson and St. <br />Joseph. First floor retail spaces will be included in the design. Memorial Hospital and Madison <br />Center continue expansion of medical services with major growth of their caYnpuses. The <br />County did a wonderful job renovatiu~g the Jefferson Bridge proving that even infrastructure can <br />A-32 <br />