Drewry’s Brewery site Phase two underway

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The City of South Bend is taking another step towards the redevelopment of the 18-acre- eyesore that was once the old Drewry’s Brewery.

The Redevelopment Commission voted back in August to move forward with the next phase, which will demolish the bottling house and the remaining two silo structures.

More than 12,000 tons of environmental contamination including cancer causing asbestos were removed with help from a $3-million-dollar grant from the EPA as part of phase one.

The city says phase three will remove all the remaining foundations and leave the site ready for redevelopment.

"It was a priority for the city because its size. We knew it was a large contributor to a negative downturn for that neighborhood, but also, it's a huge opportunity. It's a large site if we can get it ready for redevelopment, we can make sure that goes in their next benefits, the neighborhood...benefits the community,” said Joseph Molnar the Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity for the City of South Bend.

Phase two is expected to be complete by the New Year, so Phase three can begin next spring and be complete before the end of 2025.

There is no set plan yet for the site, but the city says they will work with the neighborhood to help decide what’s next.