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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – August 28, 2025 <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />• Plans for the area include new housing, commercial spaces, and a <br />full redevelopment of the previously rundown shopping center and <br />brewery. <br /> <br />The parcel at 1335 Portage Avenue, built in the 1950s, went up for <br />sale this summer. Acquiring it would give the city more space along <br />Portage Avenue for better site design. Currently, the shopping center’s <br />access from Portage is quite narrow, just a driveway. Owning 1335 <br />Portage Ave. would extend access all the way to the bridge, improving <br />the overall design and connectivity of the Portage Avenue <br />redevelopment. <br /> <br />• Purchase Price: The city is proposing to buy the property <br />for $100,850, which is the average of two commissioned <br />commercial appraisals. <br />• Due Diligence Period: The purchase agreement includes a 60-day <br />due diligence period. During this time: <br />• A Phase I environmental assessment has already been <br />completed, providing liability protections if the <br />Redevelopment Commission (RDC) proceeds. <br />• Title work will be initiated if the agreement is approved, <br />ensuring the property can be fully transferred to the RDC <br />before closing. <br />• Closing Period: If everything checks out, there will be a 30-day <br />closing period to finalize the purchase. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked about us reaching out to the <br />owners of 1335 Portage Ave. prior and Mr. Molnar stated no, and we <br />have not been in discussions with the liquor store on the corner. Vice <br />President Relos asked about any environmental issues with the site. <br />Mr. Molnar stated that surprisingly nothing the City couldn’t handle. <br />President Warner stated that he believed the tanks were removed a <br />few years back. President Warner also thought it would be <br />advantageous to reach out to the nearby liquor store as well. <br /> <br />Upon a motion by David Relos for approval second by Eli Wax, the <br />motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Purchase <br />Agreement as presented on August 28, 2025. <br /> <br />2. Resolution No. 3647 (Accepting Drewry’s Property 1408 Elwood from <br />BPW) <br /> <br />Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, stated <br />that in 2022, the city acquired the Drewry’s Brewery site through a tax <br />certificate, placing it under the Board of Public Works (BPW).