Major projects approved for South Bend's East Bank, including 'The Yard' gathering space

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- The City of South Bend Redevelopment Commission approved two major projects in the city's East Bank neighborhood. One, phase two of "The Cascade," will bring residential units and commercial space, and the other, "The Yard," will be a public gathering space.

ABC57's Annie Kate sat down with Erik Glavich, South Bend's director of growth and opportunity.

"It really is just extending downtown to the east side of the river," Glavich said. "It's making that a destination for people to want to go."

"The Yard" will take over the southern half of the block of Lasalle Avenue between Niles and Hill streets.

"The project basically envisions what we would call a third space," Glavich said.

A third space, or free gathering space for the public, he said.

"Spaces for families to relax, connect. There will be a playground," Glavich said. "There will be restaurant options, there will be ice cream, there will be food trucks."

The Yard is located just across the street from The Lauber.

"The owner of The Lauber is trying to create a new, better environment on this side of the city," said General Manager Daniel Hill.

The project is from local developer Earth Designs, and once built, Earnest Hospitality Group will operate "The Yard."

"The Yard, I think, is going to be something really important for the community," Hill said. "It's going to be great for the businesses and the families to come over to The Yard and have other places to go in downtown."

"As we see residential units being built downtown, we need places for people to go, and this is one of those types of places," Glavich said.

Located on the Link Trail, a new, paved walking and biking path connecting downtown to Notre Dame.

"The key is that it's on the link trail," Glavich said.

The $14 million project will get $3 million in support from the city.

"We look at the larger investment going on in the east bank, and there's significant private investment taking place, and the city's happy to support that investment because we know that it has long-term benefits of economic growth not only to the east bank area but also the city generally."

Another project coming to the East Bank from the same developer is phase two of "The Cascade," a second riverfront building behind newly-opened Seitz Park, which will include residential units plus commercial space on the ground floors.

This project is receiving $7 million from the city.

"Though they're distinct projects, we think about them in terms of, you know, it's one drive to invest in the city, in that area of the city," Glavich said.

Learn more about "The Yard" here.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of The Cascade Friday, Sept. 12.