Redevelopment Commission Agenda & Packet 05.14.26 Revised

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – April 23, 2026 Page | 7 Land Bank Board is fully formed and accounts are established. MACOG will provide staffing. Staff committed to providing periodic updates to the RDC on fund usage and Land Bank activities. Secretary Wax disclosed that he represents the County with tax sales, but his representation doesn’t pose a conflict for this item. Mr. Wax noted that with the RDC, BPW and other city departments have been effective in redeveloping vacant properties in recent years. How would the Land Bank change or complement that work? Would it replace existing efforts, or serve as an additional tool? Mr. Molnar explained that this is intended as a value add, not a replacement for the City’s current work. The Land Bank will focus primarily on smaller-scale single-family renovations and in-fill housing, an area where the City is not well positioned to operate efficiently due to procurement, funding, and disposition constraints. The City has generally avoided acquiring single-family homes because of the complexity of renovation and resale under state bidding requirements. The Land Bank fills this gap while allowing the City to continue leading larger redevelopment efforts, including industrial sites and LIHTC projects. These efforts will still require City involvement, and the Land Bank and City can partner where properties overlap. With City representation on the Land Bank board, this will remain a close, collaborative relationship. Overall, the Land Bank expands capacity and flexibility while complementing—not replacing—existing redevelopment tools. Commissioner Shaw asked what is the current status of its formation, and what will its structure look like? Mr. Molnar explained that the interlocal agreement was fully approved about a month ago, completing the legal steps to establish the Land Bank. Each participating entity is now appointing members to the seven-member board: two by the Mayor, one by the RDC, three by the County, and one by MACOG. Once all appointments are finalized, the board will meet to adopt the by-laws, establish operating standards, and finalize staffing through MACOG. The nonprofit paperwork has already been filed, and staff expect the Land Bank to be fully operational within the next few months. Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked, while blighted and abandoned properties remain in the system, who is responsible for maintaining them? Mr. Molnar responded that the City would continue its current enforcement process for poorly maintained properties until ownership changes. Once the Land Bank acquires a property, it will be responsible for maintenance, using startup funds to ensure lots are mowed, cleaned, and stabilized. Over time, as properties are sold, maintenance costs will