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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – April 9, 2026 <br /> <br />Page | 4 <br /> <br />12-month due diligence period, longer than typical, to allow for site <br />analysis and design development. Closing would occur within a 90-day <br />window once all parties agree the project is ready to proceed. <br /> <br />The agreement requires a minimum investment of $2.1 million and <br />construction of at least 14 housing units, with seven units priced for sale <br />affordably for households earning up to 100% of Area Median Income, <br />as verified by RDC staff. Construction must begin within 12 months of <br />closing and be completed within 24 months, with RDC issuing a <br />certificate of completion upon verification that all requirements have <br />been met. <br /> <br />Conceptual plans show a mix of townhomes and single-family homes <br />along Portage Avenue, designed to activate the street with porches and <br />sidewalks, along with accessory dwelling units and a parking area to the <br />north. Designs are subject to refinement as planning continues. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers requested clarification for how the <br />construction deadlines relate to the closing date and the size of the <br />homes. Mr. Molnar explained that all deadlines are tied to the closing <br />date. For example, if closing occurs in October 2026, construction must <br />begin within 12 months and be completed within 24 months. <br /> <br />Skip Morrell, a Row at Ward Partner stated the project is currently in the <br />design phase, focusing on smaller and mid-sized units to increase <br />density. Proposed townhomes are approximately 16 or 22 feet wide, <br />35–40 feet deep, and about 1,500 square feet. Plans include two <br />bedrooms, two bath units, with larger units offering a third bedroom. <br />The design remains in progress, and additional details will be refined. Mr. <br />Morrell also explained the development includes a mix of unit types, <br />including a stacked duplex and approximately seven to nine townhouses <br />along Portage Ave., with accessory dwelling units located to the rear. <br />Some ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Unit) may be attached to the primary <br />units. The townhouses will be fee-simple ownership, similar to single- <br />family homes with shared walls. All units are intended for sale, <br />supporting a focus on homeownership rather than rental housing. <br /> <br />Jordan Richardson with ID2, LLC, Inc. stated that the project’s goal is to <br />provide affordable, equitable new construction housing along the <br />Portage Corridor through collaboration with the City, Near Northwest <br />Neighborhoods (NNN), and local stakeholders. The design focuses on <br />moderately sized units that balance affordability with livability, with <br />assistance from a local architectural firm. Several homes may include <br />accessory dwelling units to support multigenerational living or provide <br />supplemental income for homeowners.