Downtown South Bend

Phase 1 of the Madison Lifestyle District calls for developer Great Lakes Capital to build 190 apartments and an upscale, nationally branded 119-room hotel, while the city builds a parking garage and pedestrian crossings.

A developer tried to renovate the Lafayette Building in 2023 and 2024 but ultimately failed to secure financing, partly because of a fire in the 1930s in the basement.

The South Bend Board of Public Works recently approved $5.3 million in projects around the East Race and riverwalk, including a new pedestrian bridge, new dock and upgraded stairways connecting the Jefferson Bridge to Howard Park.

South Bend’s Board of Public Works is set to consider a contract Thursday to demolish the vacant River Glen buildings, clearing the way for future redevelopment.

Developer Frank Perri's second Cascades condominiums building will be larger, at eight floors instead of seven, with construction expected to finish by fall 2027.

The South Bend Redevelopment Commission on Thursday asked city staff to come back in July with a recommendation on which proposal to select to renovate downtown's long-vacant State Theater.

“When you have friends or family come to South Bend and they say, ‘Where should I go?’ and, like, what we want people to think about is this area,” said Planning Director Tim Corcoran.

Developer David Matthews' bankruptcy filing comes three years after the city of South Bend sued him, seeking $7.5 million in tax incentives and penalties because he failed to incorporate a grocery store in his apartment high-rise project.

“We seem to have endless funding for war, but not enough funding to support those who really need it,” said Zion Community Church Pastor Wayne Peterson-Stephan.

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