South Bend reveals design concepts for the renewed Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Architects and South Bend city leaders hosted a reveal event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center on Thursday to present design concepts for the center’s recreation project after it is demolished.

Initial estimates for the reconstruction efforts of the center were first listed at a cost of $11 million. However, current estimates with the updated construction plans revealed Thursday puts a $17 million price tag on the revitalized building.

South Bend Mayor James Mueller expects this project to heavily assist the revitalization process of more incoming development on the city’s west side.

"We know that Linden Avenue and this area is ripe for redevelopment and growth in the coming years, so that's something, we hope, that this is part of the catalyst of this part of town really coming back and revitalizing,” said Mayor Mueller.

Once the center is fully redeveloped, the facility will house two new gyms, a computer lab, art rooms and multipurpose spaces.