Fall 2025: South Bend Trip Recap

Our most recent trip to South Bend (Oct 23/24) was nothing short of inspiring. For the first time, we arrived to find multiple projects actively under construction — a true milestone for the Neighborhood Evolution South Bend cohort!

Across the city, we saw framing going up, debris chutes installed for clean-outs, and full facades being carefully removed to reveal the historic details underneath. After years of planning, financing, and permitting, the physical transformation is finally underway — and it feels incredible to witness.

Each of these small projects represents a big step forward for local developers who are committed to restoring and reactivating their neighborhoods. Watching these once-vacant buildings take on new life reminds us why this work matters so much.

There’s still plenty to do, but the progress we saw this trip proves that small developers are the change — one building, one block, one neighborhood at a time.