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Council backs River West neighborhood bond to fund Coal Line extension, Rum Village center and affordable housing infrastructure
Summary
A neighborhood bond tied to the River West TIF was advanced with council approval to fund the Coal Line Trail extension, College Street streetscapes, a Rum Village neighborhood center, Near West Side park acquisition, affordable housing infrastructure and a Morris Performing Arts Center parking garage; staff outlined an October bond-closing timeline and significant federal and private contributions for specific projects.
The council voted July 27 to advance a proposed River West TIF neighborhood bond that will fund a package of West Side projects, city staff said. Deputy Director Joe Molnar presented project details: Coal Line Trail Phase 3 (an extension to link Lincoln Way West to the new Martin Luther King Dream Center) would receive federal construction funding for roughly 80% of costs with the bond covering the remaining 20%; College Street streetscape improvements including new curbs and sidewalks; redevelopment of the former William Penn building as the Rum Village neighborhood center (in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club); Near West Side park acquisition; infrastructure funding to support 42 low-income homes built by South Bend Heritage and related affordable housing; and planning for a Morris Performing Arts Center parking garage.
Molnar said the projects align with previously adopted neighborhood plans and recommendations from the Repertory Justice Commission; he said a bond closing was scheduled for Oct. 1 pending final approvals by the board of public works, redevelopment authority and other bodies. Community leaders and neighborhood association representatives spoke in favor, highlighting after‑school programming and senior services the Rum Village center could provide. The council adopted the resolution to forward approvals and move toward the scheduled bond closing.
