South Bend Mayor James Mueller delivers 2026 State of the City Address

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — South Bend Mayor James Mueller held the 2026 State of the City Address and Indiana University South Bend's performance hall. 

The address touched on where the City is at today and where it's headed in the future. The event was free and open to the public. Ahead of Thursday night's speech, ABC57 spoke with people in Downtown South Bend to learn what they wanted addressed in tonight's speech. 

Longtime South Bend resident and Common Council Member, Dr. Oliver Davis, tells ABC57 the State of the City Address is a great chance for the community to hear about all the comments, questions and concerns they've voiced.

"It just gives you a chance to see what the Mayor of the city, Council, clerk, what we've all been doing. It gives you an update. This year I believe that you will hear a lot about building Downtown. We're going to have detours and it's going to be a little frustrating, but I don't mind detours now because I know what that means. That means that construction is taking place all over Downtown like the Morris Center, to the new apartments that are coming Downtown, to the housing for low income and higher income people," Dr. Davis explained.

South Bend has grown over the years, something that makes Kim Glynn proud as someone who has lived in the City nearly her entire life.

"I feel like South Bend has made great strides in really developing the Downtown area. I happen to live in the Downtown area now and I feel like so much has changed from when I moved away. I feel like they've done a wonderful job with the restaurants, community parks like Howard Park, Seitz Park," shared Glynn.

However, with every good and thriving city, there are challenges.

"A couple things that need to be addressed is the crime that continues in South Bend, Indiana. It makes it a little unsettling at times and being that I do live in the Downtown area, I notice a lot of homeless people. I feel like there needs to be better communication, better development, a better program in place for that community," Glynn continued.

Combatting crime is an important issue for people of all ages, including The Portage School of Leaders senior, David Hendally.

"Just a week or two ago, a young African American male was shot and killed during a car robbery. So, we need to focus on what are we doing to continue to prevent this? I know a lot of organizations out there are working to do the good work but there's still more work we have to do," said Hendally.

Before the Mayor's speech, a young man just starting his professional career offers words of encouragement to a seasoned public servant.

"When you're in that high of a position, there's a lot on your plate. At the same time, while there is so much on your plate, there's also so much that you get to say and so it's really thinking about what you're gonna say, who it affects and who it doesn't affect as much. I think that's very key."

Here is some of what was addressed.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Mueller says public safety is the promise that comes first and everything else depends on it. Mueller says in 2025, the South Bend Police Department responded to more than 104,000 calls for service, while only 43 community complaints were filed. 

In his address, Mueller said the South Bend Fire Department answered nearly 26,000 calls for service, with first due engine response averaging three and a half minutes and EMS response under five minutes. He shared all of this is well ahead of national benchmarks.

He also shared through the Police Athletic League, SBPD officers served 2,230 young people, which he describes as investing in trust, mentorship and opportunity long before a crisis call ever happens.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC SERVICES

Mueller says in 2025, Public Works paved more than 48 lane miles, maintained another 65 miles, replaced over 16,000 feet of sidewalks and 12,000 feet of curbs, graded nearly 1,500 alleys and patched more than 35,000 potholes. 

He also highlighted the opening of the new City Hall building. Explaining how City Hall is bringing city services together under one roof and making it easier for South Bend residents to get answers in one place. 

GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY 

Mueller states, South Bend's goal is growth that strengthens neighborhoods, expands opportunity, and leaves the city in a better place in the future. 

South Bend's economic future is diverse - healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, arts, and emerging technologies. 

In his address, Mueller states that there are more people choosing South Bend - to live, to invest, and to work - and that momentum will continue to strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity across the city. Saying, in 2025. our region added around 3,000 jobs at a growth rate outpacing the national average. 

South Bend launching the first phase of the Innovation Development District - Colfax Corner - in partnership with Notre Dame, the State, and private partners. With vertical construction beginning in later 2026, it has already begun functioning as a hub and not just a future construction site. 

Mueller also highlights accomplishments throughout South Bend, such as completing the Link Trail. the reopening of Seitz Park, and the opening of the Raclin Murphy Encore Center. 

And even Mueller stating that as South Bend grows, so does the City's expectation. As the approach to new opportunities, including data center proposals, is straightforward: projects must meet South Bend's standards. They must fit within or enhance South Bend's neighborhoods, responsibly steward our natural resources, be transparent about their costs, and deliver real community benefit. New investments cannot incur hidden costs, financial or environmental, on South Bend residents. 

To read the full State of the City, click here.