Coveleski Stadium was built for $11 million in 1987 and is now worth an estimated $35 million to $40 million.

Press Release

A multi-year strategy envisions an enhanced Coveleski Stadium with stronger pedestrian connections to the core of downtown South Bend via a reoriented centerfield entrance, a park-like surrounding and blocks of mixed-use economic development.

After two years of study, a plan for enhancements to Coveleski Regional Stadium, part of a larger economic development strategy for downtown's southern quadrant, is moving forward into reviews by City officials. The plan came before South Bend's Redevelopment Commission today, and is scheduled for committee hearings by the South Bend Common Council on Monday.

"This project would enhance the stadium facility, create connectivity to the downtown core, create economic-development opportunities and develop a neighborhood around the stadium campus," said Bill Schalliol, economic development planner with the City's Department of Community and Economic Development. "This presents a unique opportunity to redefine the ballpark neighborhood. When Coveleski Stadium was first built, properties north and west of the stadium were controlled by others – diminishing the stadium's visibility, accessibility and connection with the core of downtown."

In the past year, however, the City has acquired nearly 15 acres of contiguous property surrounding the ballpark. Others remain under the ownership of the Gates family, providing planners with the opportunity to marshal large sites for interested commercial and residential developers.

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.

Even as the strategy was under development, City officials have had conversations with potential development partners interested in sites near the stadium for new commercial businesses.

But, for now, initial efforts will focus on improvements to the stadium itself. The Redevelopment Commission, later this year, will consider a construction design contract with Populous (formerly HOK Sport) for Phase 1, which will focus on Coveleski Stadium. As the designer of such prestigious ballparks as Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Cleveland’s Jacobs Field, HOK also was the architect when Coveleski Stadium was built in 1987.

Phase 1 plans for the Cove include renovation to existing concourse suites, press box and clubhouses to start before the 2010 baseball season.

In Phase 2, the most extensive work will take place. A new main entrance would be built in centerfield, including a team store, concession stands and restrooms. Within the ballpark, regarded berms will enable new enhancements: a bar, a picnic terrace, a high-top group area.

Phase 3 would focus on right field and include the addition of new batting areas, a Kids Zone with kids concession areas and a display area for semi-trucks.

The City, which has been concentrating land-acquisition efforts south of Western Avenue, will consider sites north of Western as development opportunities present themselves. Other next steps will include potential relocation of the historic B'Nai Yisrael (Sons of Israel) synagogue at 416 S. Williams Street and the conversion of north-south streets Lafayette Boulevard and William Street to two-way traffic throughout the downtown area.

Source: City of South Bend