Partnerships set foundation for future

How do local leaders view former Mayor Stephen J. Luecke’s major accomplishments?  Here’s what some had to say.

Far-reaching impact

Tim Sexton, photo courtesy of Matt Cashore

Because of its potential for far-reaching influence throughout the region, the consensus from virtually every quarter is in accord with Luecke’s own assessment that the partnership between the City of South Bend and the University of Notre Dame will likely have the greatest impact.

The partnership began as an effort to improve relations between the University and an adjacent neighborhood, and it has expanded to encompass other initiatives, providing the connections and momentum to drive them forward.

“The relationship between the City and the University has developed through the years to become an example of great collaboration,” says Tim Sexton, associate vice president for public affairs at Notre Dame. Sexton has been involved with the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization since its inception, which marked the beginning of collaborative efforts between the University and the City.

“Steve was very supportive from the outset because he recognized that a true partnership offered an effective way to solve very difficult challenges,” Sexton says. “From the very first meetings, Steve’s actions spoke louder than his words. He was always visible, especially at meetings where critical decisions were being made. His presence was a strong voice of support from the highest office in the City.”

Initial success creates many others

As evidence of the effectiveness of the partnership, Sexton cites the establishment and success of Eddy Street Commons, which has flourished during tough economic times.

“Steve’s support was instrumental in moving that development forward, and it has become a real asset to the northeast side of the city,” he says.

According to Project Future’s executive director, Patrick McMahon, the partnership “reversed a major neighborhood deterioration problem that nearly all university towns face, but for which few find positive solutions. Perhaps even more significantly, it provided the stimulus and momentum for many other successful initiatives going forward.”

Preparing for future growth

Pat McMahon, photo courtesy of Project Future

Project Future was a driving force in the development of the city’s dual-site Indiana Certified Technology Park, which between City and University ranks high on many lists of Luecke’s top achievements. 

One of the sites is Innovation Park at Notre Dame, which brings together faculty, students, alumni and partners of the University of Notre Dame to assist entrepreneurs in reaching their critical business milestones.

The other site is Ignition Park, which offers greater space for businesses to grow. Ignition Park’s benefits include reliable, redundant, low-cost power; an extensive fiber-optic network; competitive costs for land, construction and operations; an educated workforce; and a commitment to sustainability.

“Establishing Ignition Park capitalizes on the partnership between the City and the University to focus on new business creation,” McMahon says.

Rebecca Bonham, executive director of the Studebaker National Museum, sees another benefit.

“Because the technology park will create many higher-paying jobs, it will attract a more educated group of people to our community,” Bonham says. “Their presence will in turn stimulate the arts, culture, museums and tourism.”

Focusing on the future

To make way for the development of Ignition Park, the city also completed the demolition of buildings on the former Studebaker site — a third accomplishment cited by many experts as significant because it attained a number of important objectives.

“It removed the largest area of industrial blight in our community and offered a permanent solution to a 25-year-old problem,” McMahon says. “It also paved the way for Ignition Park, which will in turn serve as a catalyst for future innovation, new business creation and growth.”

For Greg Downes, chairman of the board of Gibson Insurance, the significance of the demolition is symbolic as well as physical.

“It marks the end of our industrial past and the beginning of our future,” Downes says. “We can now put Studebaker behind us. We continue to honor our past heritage, but we also send the message that we have dealt with and cleaned up our past and are focused on the future.”

Other top picks

In addition to the consensus on the top accomplishments listed above, these community leaders named other successes during Luecke’s tenure:

• Use of existing infrastructure for low-cost, high-speed connectivity via the St. Joe Valley Metronet. “It makes us very competitive in attracting new business,” McMahon says.
• Support for the $10 million total investment (half from the City; the other half from individuals, foundations and corporations) to build a new structure for the Studebaker National Museum. “This has been a remarkably successful public/private partnership,” says Bonham. “The building is paid for. The attendance figures have met or exceeded goals. We have a balanced budget. The museum has become one of the most popular sites for local groups to rent for reunions, receptions, rehearsal dinners and company parties. It is also a national attraction. Some 65 percent of our visitors come from more than 50 miles away.”
• Demolition and redevelopment of the former St. Joseph Regional Medical Center site. “This was a game-changer for linking downtown South Bend with Notre Dame,” Downes says. “It will bring many jobs and more residential development to the East Bank Village.”
• Overall commitment to downtown redevelopment, evident in such high-profile initiatives as East Bank Townhomes and the redevelopment of American Trust Place and the 1st Source Bank building. “It’s a statement that we’re committed to being not only the center of the business community but a vibrant residential community,” Downes says.
• Demolition and redevelopment of the former Scottsdale Mall site and south side for retail.
• Supporting efforts to locate the Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery, one of four prestigious national research consortia of the Semiconductor Research Corp.’s Nanoelectronics Research Initiative, at Notre Dame. “It sent the message that Notre Dame intellectual property has value to the local community,” McMahon says.

Luecke will wrap up his 15-year tenure Jan. 1. How will people best remember him?

“Steve Luecke has always had the best of intentions for the City,” Sexton says. “He wants to see it improve and keep getting better. That has never wavered.”