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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – August 28, 2025 <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />Since then, extensive work has been done on the site, <br />including environmental testing and contaminant removal, in <br />partnership with the EPA and IDEM. Now that cleanup is nearing <br />completion, it makes sense to transfer ownership to <br />the Redevelopment Commission, which is better suited for <br />redevelopment efforts. The RDC already owns the adjacent shopping <br />center, so having both properties under one entity simplifies future <br />plans like subdividing the land or entering into development <br />agreements. The Board of Public Works approved the transfer earlier <br />this week. <br /> <br />If the RDC agrees today, city staff will execute the deed and record the <br />transfer with the recorder’s office. This change doesn’t affect RDC’s <br />cleanup responsibilities—RDC has already contributed funding via TIF. <br />The transfer is mainly a legal step that gives RDC the authority to <br />move forward with redevelopment, including creating lots or working <br />with developers. RDC’s structure is more flexible for these tasks than <br />BPW’s. <br /> <br />Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Gillian Shaw, the <br />motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved Resolution No. <br />3647 as presented on August 28, 2025. <br /> <br />3. Real Estate Donation Agreement (Property at 1724 Kendall St.) <br /> <br />Erin Michaels, Property Development Manager, presented this donation <br />agreement for one vacant residential lot in Rum Village, being transferred to <br />the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) by a local builder who acquired it <br />through a tax sale a few years ago. The builder has since decided they no <br />longer have an interest in the property and would like to donate it to the City. <br />The lot is currently zoned U1 (Urban Neighborhood 1) and measures <br />approximately 0.1 acres, with dimensions of 35 feet wide by 130 feet <br />long making it fully buildable for residential use. Under the proposed <br />agreement, the City would have a 60-day due diligence period to <br />conduct any necessary research on the lot. The closing would then <br />occur within 30 days following that period. <br /> <br />As part of the agreement, the City would cover all closing costs and <br />recording fees, which are estimated to total a few hundred dollars. This <br />is considered a favorable agreement, as the City already owns 30 <br />vacant lots in this area. Adding this parcel to our portfolio would <br />support future neighborhood development efforts, potentially through a <br />scattered-site housing initiative with a developer. <br /> <br />Secretary Wax asked if there are any apparent issues that the RDC <br />would need to invest in. Ms. Michaels stated that she’s looked at the <br />Sanborn maps and historical aerials and this lot has been vacant and