Coveleski gets national attention

Media across the nation carried reports of conceptual plans by the City of South Bend to upgrade Coveleski Regional Stadium as part of a broader plan for mixed-use development in the ballpark’s surrounding neighborhood.

The multi-year strategy envisions an enhanced Coveleski Stadium with stronger pedestrian connections to the core of downtown via a reoriented centerfield entrance, a park-like surrounding and blocks of new economic development. South Bend’s Common Council, Park Board and Redevelopment Commission reviewed a plan for potential redevelopment drafted by Populous (formerly HOK Sport), architect of Coveleski Stadium as well as Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The plan consists of three segments:

• Enhancements to City-owned Coveleski Stadium, which is leased to the Class A minor league South Bend Silver Hawks franchise. Built for $11 million in 1987, Coveleski Stadium is worth an estimated $35 million to $40 million today. In addition to a new entrance, the changes would enable the stadium to have a concourse with 360-degree seating.

• In the block surrounding the ballpark, creation of a park-like entrance at the corner of Lafayette and Western with new parking areas and two new corridors, which would extend Monroe Street east from Taylor to Lafayette, and Franklin Street south to Taylor.

• Improvements to the wider Coveleski Park neighborhood, bounded by Taylor Street on the west, Jefferson Boulevard on the north, Lafayette Boulevard on the east and the stadium to the south. Mixed-use development could include infill housing, new development and adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

For more details on the Coveleski plan, click here.