South Bend Ecosystem Excursion!

Apr 3

Good things happen when we come together and learn from one another!

On March 26–28, we hosted our South Bend Ecosystem Excursion. South Bend, Indiana, is one of our favorite cities to work in, and during the visit we got to see firsthand why that is. Like many Rust Belt communities, South Bend has endured a long transition since the mid-20th century that brought significant loss, blight, and hardship to neighborhoods, families, and the city as a whole. However, guided by NEVO and local leadership, South Bend has become more than just a city in transition. It serves as inspiration, a living classroom, and a practical blueprint for small, incremental development.

**Downtown Development Takes Shape!**

Christina shows off the historic original facade they just exposed after being covered for 60 years. Her team plans to adaptively reuse this building by turning it into a hotel with ground floor restaurant.

Let’s look at the results!! South Bend has nearly 40 million dollars in projects being done currently by the local small scale developers in the ecosystem. Historic buildings being brought back to life. Neighborhood renovations of mixed use buildings that we all love. New construction duplexes and singles using the Pre approved plans. It is really staggering to step back and remember that a decade or so ago, there was so much vacancy and demolition. We toured buildings that were once forgotten, shuttered, and slated for demolition but now have life and purpose again! We walked through neighborhoods the world had written off and witnessed them returning with thoughtful new construction and proven plans designed to sustain long-term revival! All led and maintained by everyday people like you and me.

For Community members wanting this in their communities remember - none of this happened by accident. It was driven by the City and its community - taking small and big steps forward. The “recipe” included overhauling the zoning code, adopting pre approved plans, monthly meetings with NEVO, CDFI Friendly and the City to review projects and think through solutions, tons of trainings, city and regional grant and incentive programs for the biggest hurdles, economic development providing one on one coaching from us… all of it happens intentionally.

Lesson: Your local small scale developers will take the lead if they have the support and training they need.

*On tour with Penny Hill Properties in South Bend*

All eyes on infill in the Near Northwest Neighborhood of South Bend.

New friends! We can’t forget about all of the new friends we made from all over the country while catching up with old ones, and even meeting new friends that already live so close to me, as well! When we come together for the greater good of a city in need, there is nothing we can’t do and our positivity, influence, and action can be felt everywhere we go and wherever we are from! Thank you to everyone who traveled from across the country to see this incredible work happening!

South Bend is unique in the sense that we are seeing ideas and action come to fruition that defy what we have been told can and can’t happen, and honestly, they’re laying a foundation for a brighter future that other cities and neighborhoods can study and replicate beyond South Bend. There are real success stories, practical blueprints, and substantial work happening right now. We talked with the people, walked the streets, and examined the ecosystem that allows them to thrive against the odds. One clear takeaway for me is that we are only growing stronger as a team — if you can dream it, you can do it. Neighborhood Evolution is here, ready, and fully committed to support that continued progress.

We will explore in-depth projects from South Bend such as Ward’s Bakery, the Near Northwest Neighborhood, or how non profits, churches and for profit owners came together to quickly fill in the vacant lots with pre approved plan projects.

Want us to come to your town or city? Send us an email to talk about it. hello@neighborhoodevolution.com