SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Dec. 21, 2018) — On Monday, community leaders and regional representatives gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony in downtown South Bend to celebrate the beginning construction of the city’s newest high-rise apartment complex.
This $39 million development will add 144 residential units, 30,000 square feet of commercial space including a grocery store and office space, and a parking garage in the East Bank Village of downtown South Bend. The mixed-use space will be located at 300 E. LaSalle, in South Bend, which is part of the Commerce Center, a 100-year-old building complex that formerly served as a power plant and currently houses several technology and medical companies. This quality of place project will enable residents and visitors to easily access services and interact with others, contributing to the region’s goal of creating high-performing communities.
“It takes a vision and I would describe vision as taking what’s in front of you and building what could be,” said South Bend Mayor, Pete Buttigieg. “Increased retail, residential and renovation are all what we hope would happen in the heart of our great city.”
The development is the result of significant effort and collaboration with the City of South Bend’s Office of the Mayor, City Council, South Bend – Elkhart Regional Development Authority (RDA), Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the members of the Howard Park Neighborhood Association, and the many residents and supporters from the community who attended public meetings, wrote letters, and showed their support.
“We love South Bend, Indiana; this is our home, and we are grateful for the partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation,” said David Matthews, developer with Matthews LLC. “Thanks to their support, this project will bring South Bend’s thriving downtown neighborhood a much-desired full-service grocery store and pharmacy years ahead of schedule. This accelerated project is in the heart of South Bend, adjacent to a white-water rapids course, fantastic parks, lively theaters and the largest concentrated workforce in our region. It will help the region grow, attract more development and lead to a larger tax base.”
“To sustain the South Bend – Elkhart Region’s economic momentum, the RDA is committed to investing in our urban cores, which in turn supports talent attraction,” said RDA Administrator, Regina Emberton. “This mixed-use project will bring critical amenities to Downtown South Bend, in turn attracting new residents and investing in the region’s growing workforce.”
Regional Cities Initiative in North Central Indiana
This projects was recommended for funding by the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Development Authority (RDA) and are part of the region’s Smart Connected Communities Plan, which was selected to receive $42 million of state grant funding that is currently being deployed in 26 regional development projects in three counties totaling over $400 million in quality of place investments.
North Central Indiana (South Bend – Elkhart Region) was one of three Indiana regions selected to receive state funding through the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative, which will allocate a total of $126 million toward 100 quality of place projects totaling more than $2 billion in combined state, local and private investment in order to retain and attract top talent to the Hoosier state.
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Media Contacts
Regina Emberton (SBERP) – 574.400.5432 or remberton@southbendelkhart.org
David Matthews (Matthews, LLC) – 574.607.8008 or info@matthewsllc.com
About the Regional Development Authority
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Development Authority (RDA) is a separate corporate and political body that was formed in 2015 to apply for and then distribute the $42 million of Regional Cities Initiative funding to spur investment in quality-of-life projects for Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties and the municipalities within the region. The five-member board experienced in transportation, regional economic development, education, business and finance was appointed by the mayors and commissioners of the member counties in the South Bend – Elkhart region. The Regional Partnership serves as the administrator for the RDA to allocate Regional Cities Initiative funding to the 26 quality of life projects.
About the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership (SBERP) is a collaboration of the economic development partners from 47 smart connected communities in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. The Regional Partnership focuses on a long-term systemic approach to advance the region’s economy by aligning the efforts of various stakeholders around five key areas: Educating a world-class WORKFORCE, Recruiting and retaining great TALENT, Attracting and growing new economy companies in complement to our remarkably strong manufacturing INDUSTRIES, Promoting INCLUSION and sparking opportunities for minorities and Helping ENTREPRENEURS thrive. The Regional Partnership seeks to unify and collaborate so that together, the communities across the region to work together to achieve what cannot be done individually. For more information about the Regional Partnership, visit SouthBendElkhart.org.