St. Joseph County Begins Process to Sell Former Portage Manor Property

SAINT JOSEPH, Mich. -- Three years after the closure of Portage Manor, St. Joseph County officials are formally beginning the process of selling the vacant property as community members push for redevelopment plans that preserve the historic site.

At a county council meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved moving forward with the disposal process for the former assisted living facility on Portage Avenue, which has sat vacant since 2023.

County Surveyor Derek Dieter said the county had been losing money on the property for years and that officials are ready to move on from the controversy surrounding the closure.

“At least the process is going to start,” Dieter said. “Several people were condemning the way it happened. One, the county had been losing about a quarter million dollars for about a decade. Number two, St. Joe County should not be in the mental health business.”

County Commissioner Carl Baxymere shared appraisal figures during the meeting, saying the former assisted living facility and surrounding property are valued at more than $900,000, while nearby fields are appraised at more than $2 million.

Officials emphasized Tuesday’s vote only authorized the start of the sale process and did not approve a buyer.

Community members and local organizations have already begun proposing ideas for the property’s future. Suggestions have ranged from a haunted house attraction to a daycare center and a farmers' market.

“Well, if you can come up with the capital money to show that you can do that,” Dieter said.

One of the most vocal groups at Tuesday’s meeting was Saint Thomas More Academy, a private school with about 260 students spread across three downtown South Bend campuses. School leaders said they hope to relocate to the Portage Manor site and restore the historic building.

“We have a wonderful opportunity to give a beautiful and historical building a new life and unify our community,” one student said during public comment. “We the students and staff at St. Thomas More Academy wish and yearn for a unified campus.”

Head of School Kevin Powers said the proposal would preserve both the building and the surrounding natural areas.

“This project is a perfect example of who we are,” Powers said. “It’s saving and restoring a historical building and at the same time engaging with nature, preserving that land.”

Several residents also voiced concerns about conservation and preserving the property’s historic character.

“It’s a great historic property,” another speaker said during public comment. “I think it’s in great shape. It needs to be saved.”

The closure of Portage Manor in 2023 remains controversial in the community, prompting County Council President Bryan Tanner to introduce an amendment requiring council oversight before any final sale is approved.