River Park West Neighborhood Committee
River Park West Neighborhood (RPWN) is on the western edge of River Park, just west of IUSB, and bounded by Esther, Hildreth, Twyckenham, and Mishawaka Avenue. We are an official committee of the River Park Neighborhood Association. In August 2010, IUSB threatened to tear down 50 homes and put in gravel parking lots. Since this action would severely affect the neighborhood and property values, neighbors organized and RPWN began. Our long time focus, since the late 1980’s, had been to try to communicate with IUSB for the betterment of the shared neighborhood. With support from RPNA, former State Senator John Broden, media, and others, IUSB finally began to hear us. At a public forum convened by IUSB on November 10, 2010, we met Tom Morrison, IU VP of Capital Projects & Facilities who unveiled plans for a "parking park" to replace the 50 IU owned homes that would be torn down. He told us IU committed to communication and transparency with neighbors, stated they would not use “eminent domain” to acquire properties, and invited our participation and input in the process – which happened 100%. We met Ken Baierl, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor, who was our main contact until his retirement in December 2019. We met Chancellor Dr. Susan Elrod after her July 2019 arrival, and she committed to continued communication and being a good neighbor. Andy Williams, VC for Administration and Finance, has been our contact since September 2022. We have worked with the City of South Bend for help with traffic and other issues directly resulting from the parking lot project. Stop signs, a new street light, and 25mph signs on Hildreth Street have been installed. We continue to work with the COSB on remaining traffic, parking, alley, and lighting issues still lingering as a result of IUSB’s expansion. RPWN goals are to ensure IUSB property maintenance in RPWN area of campus, to keep abreast of university expansion plans, maintain residential and business property values, and general neighborhood good will and open communication. - Pam Claeys (Chair) pamclaeys52@sbcglobal.net Next Meeting dates: Thursday, November 6th at 6-7pm Thursday, February 5th at 6-7pm Thursday, May 7th at 6-7pm Thursday, August 6th at 6-7pm Thursday, November 5th at 6-7pm Address: River Park Branch Library 2022 Mishawaka Ave South Bend, IN 46615
River Park S.H.A.P. E. Committee
(Safety, Housing, and Asset Preservation Efforts)
Our Mission The Housing, Safety, and Asset Preservation Efforts Committee has been in existence since before 2009 as one of our committees of the River Park Neighborhood Association in response to the City of South Bend’s request to have more resident involvement in the development, safety, and preservation of its neighborhoods and services. Our mission goals are: # 1 Work with neighbors whose houses are most in need and link with various improvement programs. # 2 Optimize the experiences of renters and landlords. # 3 Facilitate improvements in other commercial and non-commercial properties. # 4 Work to improve infrastructure conditions including sidewalks and alleys. # 4 Partner with city departments, such as Community Development, Code Enforcement, South Bend Police Department, and the neighborhood partners, as well as with other agencies, institutions, including IUSB, service groups, charitable organizations, businesses, and other concerned individuals. # 6 Keep River Park residents informed on how they can keep their homes and improve their neighborhoods, and empower them to be more proactive in River Park’s success. It is also envisioned to develop rental and home-buying resources. # 7 Coordinate the presentation of River Park’s history and its historic preservation. # 8 Improve the safety of River Park in the mission memory of the Neighborhood Crime Watch model. Our Progress Over the past 15 years, we have helped improve over 50 homes, coordinated many area wide clean-up campaigns, contributed to the safety of River Park by 400% from our Inception, and have offered many safety and history seminars. How to Share We meet on the second Thursday of each month @ the River Park Library after the RPNA meeting. All are welcome! We wish to improve River Park one house at a time. We are currently seeking members as the present chair is over 80 years old. (574-287-2270) - Phil Niswonger (Chair) niswongerpg1963@yahoo.com