Downtown South Bend
2045 Plan
About the Plan
WHY NOW?
South Bend is at an exciting moment in its history. Over the coming years, public, private, and
non-profit partners will invest over $1 billion in Downtown. With such a tremendous amount of
investment in the City and the change that will result, it is appropriate to pause and ask essential questions about the future of Downtown and be strategic about the priorities and investments.
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HOW DID WE GET HERE?
This plan results from a year-long public engagement effort by the City of South Bend to create a vision for Downtown 20 years from today. In addition to engaging with the community and stakeholders, the City and design team analyzed and recorded existing physical and market conditions to ensure that any proposed idea remained grounded in what is physically and economically viable. The plan also built on the foundation of the surrounding neighborhood plans, weaving in the neighborhood initiatives to create a fabric that would more easily connect to Downtown amenities.
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WHAT WILL THE PLAN DO?
This plan will guide and shape downtown’s built environment and public realm. It outlines the needs and goals of Downtown, illustrates successful project implementation, and serves as a road map for future development and public initiatives. It is intended to be used by residents, developers and builders, public officials, community leaders, and city staff. This document is organized into six sections: Overview, Analysis, The Vision, Built Form and Design Standards, Historic Preservation, and Implementation.
Overview & Analysis
The project team listened to the community and stakeholders to understand the needs and challenges of Downtown while also analyzing its physical form. Community engagement took place through a series of surveys, workshops, and open houses, from which thousands of comments were collected. The project team analyzed patterns through mapping and
diagramming, a parking study, and a market analysis. The engagement and analysis steps were conducted simultaneously, with the findings supporting one another. The community expressed a desire for increased activation, improved destinations, and better access to the riverfront. In parallel, the analyses identified the lack of connections between Downtown and the river and the fragmented nature of retail in the area. These themes and insights from the analysis and stakeholder engagement form the foundation for a 20-year vision for Downtown.
The Vision
The vision for Downtown South Bend in 20 years is a regional destination where visitors can spend a day walking, eating, shopping, and enjoying cultural experiences. Four priorities will guide the transformation:
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• Reinvigorate the Heart of Downtown
• Attract jobs and people to Downtown
• Add housing diversity and infill neighborhoods within and around Downtown
• Create a world-class connected riverfront open space system
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The vision plan outlines a series of projects divided into four sections: The Heart of Downtown, Innovation & Institutional Catalysts, Neighborhood Nodes, and Public Realm Enhancements. Each project includes a description and an illustration depicting the site’s potential in support of accomplishing the four priorities.