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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – October 9, 2025 <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />and becoming homeowners. Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers thanked <br />Ms. Patton for her efforts. <br /> <br />Upon a motion by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers for approval, seconded by <br />Troy Warner, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission <br />approved the Development Agreement as presented on October 9, <br />2025. <br /> <br />B. River East Development Area <br /> <br />1. Opening of Proposals (Former Singer Sewing Building – Oaklawn) <br /> <br />Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, stated <br />we received no proposal(s) prior to the deadline. Mr. Molnar stated that <br />we will continue to provide the RFP online and consider interest for the <br />site on a rolling basis and will reach out to local developers who had <br />expressed interest in the property during the Proposal process. <br /> <br />C. Redevelopment General Fund (a.k.a Pokagon Fund) <br /> <br />1. Budget Request (Early Childhood Learning Grant with Ready to Grow <br />St. Joseph) <br /> <br />Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment, presented <br />this budget request for an annual $100,000 appropriation to support <br />Ready to Grow St. Joe, a local nonprofit focused on improving daycare <br />quality through Indiana’s Paths to Quality program. This program helps <br />daycare centers meet state standards, build trust with families, and <br />expand capacity. Last year’s funding was matched by a private <br />foundation, doubling the impact to $200,000. Ready to Grow St. Joe, <br />led by Terri Kosik, works to increase access to high-quality childcare in <br />South Bend, where demand far exceeds supply. There are 14,900 <br />children under six and 7,200 school-age children needing care, but <br />only 7,900 licensed spots exist—many not at the highest quality levels. <br />The grant supports providers already enrolled in Paths to Quality, <br />helping them move toward levels 3 and 4 through training and <br />technical assistance. The goal is to expand high-quality childcare <br />options and improve educational and workforce outcomes in the <br />community. <br /> <br />South Bend Community School Corporation’s new Pre-K program is <br />one example of strong local partnerships. About 25% of providers are <br />not yet in the Paths to Quality program, but many are progressing, with <br />13% at the highest level. <br />