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Notre Dame
Connected: Creating a 21st Century College Town
 Notre
Dame and South Bend have established an even stronger bond in
recent years through their complementary efforts in the local
community. Infrastructure around the campus and an arts cooperative
between the new Notre Dame performing arts center and a renovated
downtown theater represent just two ways the relationship benefits both
the university and the city. This proposed development, known as the
"Eddy Street Commons", will be one of the biggest steps yet in that
direction if it addresses the quality-of-life issues that a mixed-use
development serves. Students, faculty, staff and local citizens alike
will live, work and relax in a neighborhood that serves as a gateway to
the campus and into the community, connecting them through their common
needs and interests.
By outlining and identifying the quality-of-life issues that a
mixed-use development serves, students, faculty, staff and local
citizens learned what it takes to create a neighborhood that serves as
a gateway to the campus and into the community.
Experts in architecture and urban planning presented their ideas for
the best ways to bring this plan to fruition. Developers, university
officials, community leaders and citizens also shared their views
during this two-day symposium open to all South Bend, Indiana area
residents and the Notre Dame community.
 Presentations
were centered on what makes a good college town. Such as:
A good college town has a discernible center, typically bordered by
civic buildings, shops, and residences. A transit stop (usually train
and/or bus) should be located in or along this center, connected to
other neighborhood centers generally not less than one-half mile nor
more than one mile away. A good college town is pedestrian friendly,
and accommodates not only automobile drivers but also those who choose
to walk or who are unable to drive. A good college town has a variety
of dwelling types. A good college town has stores and offices located
at and/or near its centers, and along the primary streets that connect
neighborhood centers. The stores should be sufficiently varied to
supply the weekly needs of students and households. A good college town
places its buildings close to the street. This creates a strong sense
of the neighborhood’s center and streets as places, and of
the
neighborhood itself as a place. A good college town utilizes its
streets for parking. Parking lots and garages rarely front the streets,
and are typically relegated to the rear of buildings, accessed by lanes
and/or alley.
Strengthening the relationship between the University of Notre Dame and
the City of South Bend was part of the benefit of this symposium.
Creating an attractive community for students, faculty and staff will
help Notre Dame continue to attract the best people to study and work
on its campus. South Bend will realize considerable revenue in property
and sales taxes while creating the less tangible, but equally important
value of another vibrant neighborhood that serves the varied needs of
its citizens.
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