Downtown South Bend brings new businesses, housing, and safety measures

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A new push is hoping to bring more people to Downtown South Bend.

There are new stores, new apartments, and new public safety measures in place to make shoppers and diners feel safe.

DTSB and partners gathered at the corner of Michigan St. and Jefferson Blvd. Monday afternoon to discuss the changes they’ve made to make the City’s downtown not just more appealing, but safer too.

They also shared what they're doing to get folks to “fall in love” with Downtown moving forward.

"It is safe but were committed to giving the resources necessary to making sure it stays safe,” said Mayor James Mueller as he and a number of city leaders gathered Monday afternoon.

Downtown South Bend Inc. the non-profit committed to the revitalization of downtown, says they have seen record-breaking attendance for recent events like First Fridays.

18 new businesses have launched since 2022, and there have been a number of redevelopments and pushes to fill store fronts and get the chronically homeless off the street following the pandemic.

At the foundation of that, comes safety.

"Rain, shine, snow, were out making sure all the businesses are safe, using community policing efforts to build relationships and trust. Through that we've been work with DTSB and local businesses to make sure all the crime just stays down and people can come out and enjoy themselves", said Stephanie Northcutt with SBPD.

Back in March, security Guard River Pulliam Jr was gunned down in a parking garage.

Since then, there has been even more of a push for increased patrols, which is now happening thanks to a partnership between DTSB and The South Bend Police Department.

Stephanie Northcutt who coordinates the initiative says building relationships with the community is crucial to solving cases and reducing violent crime.

"I mean obviously there are still issues sometimes, but because of our efforts and our partnership, we are able to resolve those in a record time frame,” Northcutt added.

Local business owners, new and old, say they are feeling the increased sense of safety, and security and ease downtown.

This includes Aksema McGlown who just acquired the former Ben’s Soft Pretzel location next to the Chocolate Café for his small business, Mixture, with the help of DTSB.

The owner of Lasalle Grill, and owner of LaSalle Hospitality Group, Mark McDonnell, who's been downtown for more than 40 years, thinks the additional patrols are making a huge difference.

"It gives me a great sense of pride that we have come a long way since I have come back to south bend in 1981. I'm delighted to be a part of it,” said McDonnell.

For more information on all things DTSB, you can visit their website and sign up for alerts.

They are looking for more partners as they continue the revitalization process.