Logan Foster
- Feb 22

A Closer Look at Potential New Day Intake Center Locations in South Bend

Almost a month has passed since South Bend Mayor James Mueller's pledge to reveal the list of locations previously considered for the New Day Intake Center, a promise made on January 26th that remains unfulfilled. The lack of transparency has prompted Redress South Bend to take the initiative, engaging with local business owners and analyzing the Civil City's 599 property parcels to bring forth a selection of viable alternatives for the New Day Intake Center, sparking much-needed public discourse.

Our findings present a mix of locations that align with the city's and the New Day Intake Center's criteria. It's important to note that while a few suggested sites are near educational institutions and other care facilities, this is not an unusual circumstance. The current location selected by the city administration is similarly situated close to schools and a childcare facility. Moreover, the city has previously granted permission for a daycare facility to open directly opposite the current Motels4Now site.

In our pursuit of practicality and openness, we've emphasized transparency and community involvement—cornerstones of civic engagement that should have been foundational in the City of South Bend's initial approach. Let's delve into some of these alternative sites and foster constructive conversations about the future home of the New Day Intake Center.

Option 1 - Ignition Park Size: 40.69 Acres Owner: By Department of Redevelopment City of South Bend

This site is ideally situated near the Police Department and the Saint Joseph County Jail.

Contrary to concerns about the land's placement in the "Voluntary Remediation Program," proponents assure that compliance with residential standards at Ignition Park is simply a matter of installing a "vapor barrier"—a process already conducted for other non-residential buildings within the park. Therefore, this would seamlessly integrate the facility into the community fabric without altering the neighborhood's essence.

Option 2 - Rabbi Shulman Size: 8.81 Acres Location: 628 W Western Avenue

The address at 628 W Western Avenue, widely known as the "Rabbi Shulman Building" or the "South Bend Housing Authority Tower," presents another viable option. This towering structure boasts over 120,000 square feet across six stories and includes more than 120 apartments. The property's strategic position on an 8.81-acre parcel, complete with a bus stop directly out front, situates it at the bustling heart of downtown, adjacent to Four Winds Field. This proximity not only physically connects its residents to the urban core but also symbolically includes them in the city's vibrancy, highlighted by the sounds of weekly fireworks and the excitement of baseball games.

Option 3 Size: 3.17 Acres

Location: Sample & Lafayette

Owner: South Bend Redevelopment Commission

Option 4

11.86 Acres

Location: Kemble & Indiana Ave

Owner: Department of Redevelopment City of South Bend

REMOVED Option 5 Size: 3.45 Acres

Location: Ameritech Drive Owner: Civil City of South Bend

Option 6

Size: 12.08 Acres

Location: North of Erskine Golf Course

Owner: Civil City of South Bend

Option 7

Size: 9.85 Acres

Location: Land West of Blackthorn

Owner: Civil City of South Bend

REMOVED

Option 8

Size: 8.81 Acres

Location: Ironwood Drive

Owner: Civil City of South Bend

REMOVED Option 9

Size: 2.9 Acres

Location: Hepler Street & 32nd Street

Owner: Civil City of South Bend

Option 10 Size: 14.72 Acres

Location: Drewry's Building

Owner: Civil City of South Bend

Option 11

Size: 7.06 Acres

Location: 3315 William Richardson Ct

Owner: Department of Redevelopment City of South Bend

Option 12

Size: 4.51 Acres

Location: Oliver Plow CT

Owner: Department of Redevelopment City of South Bend

Option 13

Size: 2.71 Acres

Location: 818 W Sample

Owner: Department of Redevelopment City of South Bend

Motels4Now envisions a sprawling campus, one that extends beyond 3 acres and serves as an all-encompassing facility. While having goals is essential, materializing them requires substantial funding—a component that Motels4Now currently lacks. The organization anticipates relying on public funding both for constructing this expansive campus and for its day-to-day functioning; the City of South Bend has provisionally pledged an annual support of $500,000 from taxpayer money for operational costs. Bearing this in mind, it is the taxpayer who inevitably has a say in determining the scale of Motels4Now's ambitions and the extent of financial investment in its services. The desire for a large campus must be weighed against financial viability. Many of us compromise our wants and needs within the boundaries of our budgets—which raises the question: Should taxpayer dollars be allocated to an endeavor that is yet to be self-sustaining? In light of these considerations, I have also examined potential sites smaller than 3 acres, promoting a balanced approach to this civic project. (Also noted, Motels4Now can amend their plans and build up instead of out. Instead of many one-story buildings, they could build 3-5 stories "hotel/motel" on smaller parcels.)

Option 14 Size: 1.48 Acres

Location: S. William Street & Western

Owner: Department of Redevelopment City of South Bend