Demolition Set for Robinson Center Property in South Bend

(photo courtesy of the University of Notre Dame)

The University of Notre Dame says demolition of the former Robinson Community Learning Center building in South Bend is set to begin next week. The university, which owns the property, says the demolition paves the way for additional development of the Eddy Street Commons area.

Notre Dame says the work includes the Robinson building and the attached former Notre Dame Surplus Property and QuarkNet building. It also includes two adjacent buildings: the former Approved Safety and Security and the former Corby Fabric Care Center.

“It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to the old Robinson Community Learning Center, the backdrop to so many wonderful moments and the basis of so many important relationships these past two decades,” said Jennifer Knapp Beudert, manager of the RCLC. “At the same time, we look forward to further development of the area, and to a bright future for the new RCLC.”

An off-campus educational initiative of Notre Dame, the RCLC recently relocated to a new and expanded building across the street.

In its original location, the university says the RCLC served a combined 22,650 children, adults and seniors with programs including language, literacy and youth entrepreneurship classes, among others.

Notre Dame says plans for the old RCLC and surrounding properties have not been finalized, but include housing and commercial uses. Across the street, new graduate student apartments and townhomes are being constructed and nearing completion.