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Commission extends Western Preserve planning contract as Midwest Continental Divide Commission secures state funding
Summary
The redevelopment commission approved a no-cost time extension for the Western Preserve planning contract to align with work on the Midwest Continental Divide Trail master plan and make use of newly established state funding.
The St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission voted May 20 to extend the contract end date for Community Redevelopment Partners' work on the Western Preserve corridor to Oct. 31, 2025, to synchronize local planning with a separate master plan being prepared for the proposed Midwest Continental Divide Trail.
Commission staff said the extension does not increase the contract value; it only moves the contract end date to allow time for MKSK, the firm preparing the trail master plan, to finish work expected in early fall. "We originally had a contract with Community Redevelopment Partners to end in June. What we're asking for ... is to push the end date to 10/31/2025. There wouldn't be any increase in funding," Phil said.
Context: The effort is a multi-party corridor plan involving the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the Pokagon Band and other local organizations and businesses, stretching from the Elbel Golf Course area down to the State Road 2 corridor and ultimately to Potato Creek State Park. Staff said the state legislature created the Midwest Continental Divide Commission through Senate Bill 468 and authorized $2 million annually for 20 years to support its work; the commission may also seek funds from the South Bend Regional Development Authority, which has $30 million available.
Action taken: Commissioners voted to approve the contract-time extension. The motion passed by recorded voice vote with all members present voting in favor.
Why it matters: Staff said the unified planning approach seeks to coordinate multiple landowners, nonprofit partners and municipal plans along the corridor and create a funding structure to support implementation. Extending the local contract is intended to keep county work aligned with the statewide commission and the MKSK trail study.
Next steps: Staff said scheduled project deliverables and talking points on Senate Bill 468 were included in the commission packet and invited questions about the corridor plan.
