The first of two building proposals for the 10-acre former Transpo headquarters site on Northside Boulevard in South Bend submitted by local developer Matthew LLC. The primary site plan keeps structure to the land currently owned by Transpo. (Graphic provided/South Bend Public Transportation Corp.)
Many interested in the future of a property on Northside Boulevard, where Transpo's headquarters once stood, gathered at a public meeting Monday looking to have more questions answered.
In early June the South Bend transportation company revealed proposals from three local developers for the site just east of Howard Park. After Transpo's headquarters moved to Ignition Park in 2010 the land, which was appraised at about $990,300 according to the assessor's office, became available for new development.
The proposals sparked a heated debate, predominantly between two neighborhood associations, about what would be the best option for the future of the Howard Park community. Monday's meeting was organized by the Howard Park East Bank Neighborhood Association to further educate the public on the proposals, Karen Schefmeyer, association secretary, said.
The second group that represents the area is known as just the Howard Park Neighborhood Association.
Representatives from Century Builders and Place Group, two of the developers vying for the property, answered questions during an open discussion with the public. Matthews LLC, the third developer, was not present at the meeting. The Matthews proposal was briefly discussed, but many questions could not be answered.
One of the biggest concerns the public brought up was the infrastructure for the area. Both Century and Place made a point that they would develop using most of the infrastructure already in place. The city requires developers to work with them on a combined sewer overflow systems, but beyond that both developers said they would like the plans to be easily incorporated into the area.
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