A significant amount of quality development, redevelopment and
investment is occurring in Mishawaka residential, commercial and
industrial sectors. Although a significant portion of the new development
centers in the "Golden Corridor" (Grape Road and Main
Street), there is a distribution of developments in the central
and east sides as well.
Commercial Growth
In 2004, a total of 267,504 square feet of commercial space was
approved for construction. Included in that total are a number of chain restaurants,
department stores and motels.
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Recognizing the opportunities and advantages associated with investing
in Mishawaka, we have recently seen Home Depot, Extended Stay America, Logan’s
Roadhouse, Carrabba's, Hooters, Smokey Bones, Max & Erma's, Panera Bread, Houlihan’s, and International House
of Pancakes make significant inverstments in our city.
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Edison Lakes Medical Center
Edison Lakes Medical Center, located on Day Road between Main Street
and Edison Lakes Parkway, underwent major remodeling and expansion
just last year. A 1,225 square foot building addition provided more
operating rooms for the Ambulatory Surgery Center. The plans were
then finalized in 2002 for the construction of a new 23,640 square
foot Imaging Center on a 4-acre parcel of land acquired adjacent
to the 10-acre site already owned by St. Joseph’s Regional
Medical Center.
The success of this medical facility is noteworthy. Mishawaka's
prime location in the middle of population centers such as South
Bend, Granger, Elkhart, Plymouth, Niles, Edwardsburg and Cassopolis
has made it the regional center of retail shopping, vehicle sales,
home improvement stores, furniture businesses, electronics, restaurants,
and theaters with nearly one million people serving as its customer
base within a 50-mile radius.
Edison Lakes Medical Center is in the heart of that hub, close
to the Toll Road interchange and surrounded by busy Main Street,
SR 23, Fir Road and Day Road. The availability of significant acres
of undeveloped land in that area could help add health care providers
to that growing list of regional economic activity centers that
choose to locate in Mishawaka. Mishawaka stands ready to encourage
and promote such development with appropriate annexation, zoning
and infrastructure improvements.
Industrial Growth
Industrial growth is important to promote a diverse and balanced
local economy. Industrial jobs have the potential for higher pay
when compared to service retail businesses. Industrial development
provides a positive impact on our city tax base and it does not
require the high maintenance services associated with residential
and commercial development.
Despite corporate changes elsewhere, the Bayer Corporation Diagnostics
Division appears to be doing very well in Mishawaka. In addition,
as part of the closure of its Consumer Care Division in Elkhart,
Bayer recently announced that it would be moving 65 Customer Service
employees to Edison Lakes Office Park.
Meanwhile, AM General announced plans to demolish its obsolete
office building at the Byrkit Avenue Business Center and replace
it with a new $2 million facility. The announcement means the creation
of new jobs, the retention of existing jobs and stabilization of
an older, sometimes less than desirable, manufacturing location.
Residential Growth
Eighty percent of new residential units constructed in the city
are commercial. This type of construction is not possible without
public water and sanitary sewer service. These services are usually
unavailable in unincorporated areas. Other reasons why this growth
occurs in Mishawaka are geographic location, tax rate and school
systems. For all these reasons, we anticipate the continuation of
commercial residential growth in the city.
Downtown Growth
The closer we get to development of Mishawaka River Center, the
more interest we see in downtown property. Evidence: the opening
of the Phoenix Bar & Grill at the four-corners of Lincolnway
and Main Street. Other restaurants have also shown interest in downtown.
The city has an excellent reputation for interesting, friendly,
quality, eating places such as The Phoenix, Maury ’s Pub, Main Street Grille, Doc Pierce’s, Squad’s,
Sunny’s, Papa Joe’s and Reggio’s. |
