Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRedevelopment Commission Minutes 09.10.26 - SignedSouth Bend Redevelopment Commission 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana Minutes Regular Meeting September 10, 2026 – 9:30 a.m. City Hall Council Chambers 3rd Floor or via: https://tinyurl.com/RDC2025-2026-Meetings Meeting Recording Link: https://tinyurl.com/RDC-Meeting-Recordings The South Bend Redevelopment Commission was called to order at 9:30 a.m. President David Relos presiding. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: David Relos, President Karen White, Vice President Eli Wax, Secretary Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Commissioner Maureen Miller, Commissioner Marcus Ellison, Non-Voting Advisor Legal Counsel: Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Asst. City Attorney Redevelopment Staff: Darryl Scott, Executive Director, DCI Joseph Molnar, Deputy Director, DCI Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, DCI Lewis Kouassi, Director of Finance, DCI - Virtual April Canahuati, Asst. Dir. of Growth and Opp., DCI Tim Corcoran, Chief Planner, DCI Allison Doctor, Project Manager, DCI - Virtual Laura Hensley, Board Secretary, DCI Attending: Charlotte Brach, Assist. City Engineer, Public Works Rebecca Plantz, Director of Engineering Services, Public Works Emily Longines, Administrative Assistant, Mayor’s Office Eugene Demianczuk, 2401 W. Western Ave. Marco Mariani, Executive Director of South Bend Heritage Foundation Matt Barrett, 110 S. Niles Ave. Tina Patton, 707 Sherman Ave. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 10, 2026 Page | 2 2. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, August 27, 2026 Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, second by Ophelia Gooden- Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the minutes of the regular meeting of August 27, 2026. 3. Approval of Claims A. None 4. Old Business A. None 5. New Business A. River West Development Area 1. Development Agreement (Panadería y Supermercado San Miguel Inc., 2401 W. Western Ave.) April Canahuati, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, provided an overview of the business, noting that Mor Mex is a grocery store serving the community with fresh food and culturally relevant products. Located on the west side of South Bend within the River West Development Area, the business also includes a taqueria, bakery, fresh produce section, and fresh meat market. She shared photos showing the transformation of the site from a vacant lot in June 2023, to the completed facility shortly before its opening in June 2025, and its current condition in September 2026. The proposed project includes an approximately 8,000-square-foot expansion and renovations to existing interior space. Improvements will include expanded storage and warehouse capacity, enhanced food preparation operations, new fixtures and equipment, and upgrades to operational and customer service functions. The developer has committed to a minimum private investment of $1.5 million. RDC assistance in the amount of $100,000 is requested to support public infrastructure improvements, including new parking and driving aisles, site paving and striping, fencing, and access gates. The proposed completion date for the project is December 31, 2028. April noted a scrivener's error in the proposed agreement involving duplicate language in Section 9.12. She explained that the expansion is needed due to the business's rapid growth since opening. While initially serving primarily Hispanic and Latino customers, the store has CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 10, 2026 Page | 3 experienced strong demand from a broad and diverse customer base, creating an immediate need for additional space and operational capacity. President Relos asked for clarification of the scrivener's error and Ms. Canahuati explained the section correctly ends on page 10, but the same language appears again on page 11. The duplicate text is not substantive and does not affect the intent of the agreement. Eugene Demianczuk, who has assisted with the project since its inception, spoke in support of the expansion. He noted that the business has experienced stronger-than-anticipated growth and has attracted a diverse customer base beyond its initial target market. Due to the store’s popularity and increasing demand, he emphasized the need to move forward with expansion as soon as possible. Commissioners Gooden-Rodgers and White thanked Mr. Demianczuk for providing a grocery option in an area impacted by recent grocery store closures and asked several questions about the expansion. Mr. Demianczuk explained that the expansion will occur on an adjacent parcel to the west, providing additional parking, warehouse space, and expanded retail area. Inventory sold in the store will be stored in the warehouse. Secretary Wax asked how customers will benefit, the applicant stated that expansion will allow the store to offer a broader selection of grocery products to meet growing demand from a diverse customer base. Mr. Demianczuk also clarified that the expansion site consists of a 60-foot by 425-foot parcel purchased from a neighboring business and that the addition will be attached to the existing building. Upon a motion by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers for approval, seconded by Maureen Miller, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Development Agreement as presented on September 10, 2026. B. Redevelopment General Fund (a.k.a Pokagon-South Bend Fund) 1. Budget Request (South Bend Heritage-Washington Taylor Manor House) Joseph Molnar, Deputy Director of Community Investment, presented a budget request of $190,000 to support the construction of a six-unit apartment building at the northwest corner of Washington and Taylor Streets by South Bend Heritage Foundation. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 10, 2026 Page | 4 Mr. Molnar noted that South Bend Heritage, a long-standing nonprofit community development corporation, manages nearly 500 affordable rental units and has partnered with the City on several housing initiatives, including South Bend Thrive, the Tri-Day project, Gemini Apartments, and Turnock Street Homes. The proposed apartment building was selected through a 2023 City RFP process for the vacant lot and was designed to complement the historic character of the West Washington neighborhood. The project will provide a mix of affordable and market-rate housing. The total project cost is approximately $1.5 million. The requested RDC contribution would help complete the project and support the use of high-quality exterior materials, including brick. Funding would come from RDC Pokagon/Four Winds revenue, not TIF funds. If approved, the parties would enter into a donation agreement outlining project and affordability commitments. Marco Mariani, Executive Director of South Bend Heritage Foundation, spoke in support of the project. He noted that the design was refined over an extended period to complement the historic character of the neighborhood while remaining financially feasible. Mr. Mariani explained that the project will include six apartments, consisting of a mix of affordable and market-rate units, including two affordable three-bedroom units and one ADA-accessible unit. He noted that the site was previously home to derelict structures that were demolished years ago and expressed enthusiasm about returning the property to productive use. Mr. Mariani stated that rising construction costs and higher-than- anticipated bids created a funding gap. The requested RDC support is needed to help complete the project and bring it to fruition. Commissioner Miller inquired about South Bend Heritage’s experience with market-rate housing, building design, tenant mix, neighborhood outreach, and operations at Gemini Apartments. Mr. Mariani stated that it has experience managing both affordable and market-rate housing, including units at Robertson’s Apartments and Gemini Apartments. The proposed two-story building will include a mix of affordable and market-rate units, including an ADA-accessible unit. Exterior materials will consist of brick accents and durable siding designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 10, 2026 Page | 5 Mr. Mariani further explained that the project is intended for a variety of households, including families and seniors, and that neighborhood feedback was generally supportive, though some residents expressed concerns regarding the loss of open space. In response to questions regarding Gemini Apartments, South Bend Heritage reported that the property remains stable and that additional rehabilitation work is underway to restore units, increase occupancy, and support the project's long-term financial sustainability. Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked about the timeline and Mr. Mariani stated that construction will begin once financing is finalized. The organization hopes to start work this year, with the goal of completing the foundation and enclosing the building before winter. The anticipated construction period is approximately 10 months. Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Karen White, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Budget Request as presented on September 10, 2026. 6. Progress Reports A. Tax Abatement None B. Common Council None C. Other Joseph Molnar, Deputy Director of Community Investment, gave updates on the following. • The Real America-Stadium Flats fire, Mr. Molnar, thanked the South Bend Fire Department for their professionalism and hard work. • Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers requested an updated financial report on all TIF districts, including current balances, committed expenditures, and anticipated obligations. Mr. Molnar indicated that the information would be compiled and provided to the Commission. 7. Next Commission Meeting Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:30 a.m., City Hall Council Chambers 3rd Floor 8. Adjournment Thursday, September 10, 2026, 9:59 a.m. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 10, 2026 Page | 6 ______________________________ ______________________________ Eli Wax, Secretary David Relos, President