On September 11, 2023, the South Bend City Common Council approved the expansion of the Riverfront District and made liquor licenses cheaper and more accessible. The expansion was first proposed in August 2022 to encourage more small businesses downtown in unoccupied land owned by the Schilling Development Company. Downtown South Bend (DTSB,) the non-profit leading the project, hopes to increase small business development along the St. Joseph river. The 3-way liquor license program, or Riverfront Liquor License Program, is estimated to save start-up costs by nearly $58,000.
The downtown bar scene in South Bend has grown increasingly large over the past ten years, with many resturants gaining popularity such as The Exchange, Spirited, and South Bend Brew Works. Sean English at WSBT 22 News interviewed local businesswoman Kristina Tressler, who is co-owner of Howard Park Public House. Tessler said, “I was very excited when I learned we would be able to get a river front license. I think it is very important for this community to come down here to be able to have as many liquor licenses as we can. right now, we have a pretty small community but the bigger it gets the more businesses that come down here, the more successful.”
The program is awaiting approval by South Bend’s Redevelopment Commission before it can go into full effect. The requirements for maintaining the Riverfront Liquor License Program are paying $1,000 annually to the city, $1,000 to a community foundation and focusing on dining, cultural and entertainment. Full requirements can be found at the DTSB’s website.
The Riverfront District was picked purposefully to generate business and economic development to downtown South Bend. New projects by the city to expand downtown include Howard Park, the river lights and events such as the Fusion Festival to encourage community and social growth. Being such a residential city, Downtown South Bend has tried to encourage business growth and cultural engagement in order to preserve the safe environment of the downtown area and create a vibrant riverfront for the community.
Riverfront Development also involves non-government construction projects. The Cascade Apartments on E Colfax Avenue are state of the art metro-style condos right on the river that overlooks the city and connects to the 17-mile River Valley Trail. Beacon Hospital plans to expand its patient center by building a $232 million dollar tower that will house more patient rooms and a larger Intensive Care Unit.
These downtown projects oriented towards economic growth are extremely beneficial for the community. They bring in revenue, attract new people to South Bend and develop community engagement. Applications for the Riverfront District expansion open Oct. 1, 2023, and will bring economic and cultural progress to the South Bend community moving forward.
