Joe Molnar

The linear park, or cultural trail, will create new public spaces where people can congregate and learn about cultural attractions in South Bend's near west side neighborhood.

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.

South Bend’s Near Northwest Neighborhood could be getting more affordable housing, thanks to a local nonprofit and the city’s redevelopment commission. Cross Community plans to build a six-unit apartment building and two single-family homes on Allen Street.

South Bend is looking to capitalize on redevelopment efforts in the Lincoln and Kennedy Park area. About half of the lots in the neighborhood are vacant, but that could soon change.

Creating a new housing tax incremental financing area would capture new property tax growth in the Lincoln Park and Kennedy Park neighborhoods. Instead of going into the city's General Fund, the new tax revenue would be spent on infrastructure in those two neighborhoods.