Erskine Golf Course Not For Sale
March 9, 2005
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This afternoon Mayor Stephen Luecke announced he will not sell Erskine Golf Course for commercial and residential development.
Hooray for people power! Overwhelming citizen resistence to the sale forced the Mayor to withdraw his redevelopment plan. How wonderful it is to realize how many people right here in South Bend value green space.
Many thanks to those who organized the resistence and those who came out in support of preserving the treasured public space.
NEWS RELEASE FROM: STEPHEN J. LUECKE, MAYOR
FOR RELEASE: 1:00 PM WED., MARCH 9, 2005
ERSKINE GOLF COURSE IS NOT FOR SALE
Mayor Stephen J. Luecke today announced that the City will not pursue proposals to redevelop Erskine Golf Course. He has directed staff to stop reviewing various concepts for reuse of the property. "Erskine Golf Course will continue to serve this community as a premier public links course that also provides important green space and recreational activities," said Luecke.
The Department of Community & Economic Development began the Erskine Hills Development Plan four years ago to provide a framework for creating new residential and retail development, for updating and upgrading the existing area making it more attractive and pedestrian friendly.
At the same time, the Park and Recreation Department began work on its Master Plan, reviewing its inventory of existing parks and recreation opportunities, analyzing what was working well, and exploring the demand for new recreational opportunities, and continuing its efforts to develop new urban parks.
Currently, there are over one million sq. ft. under development between Erskine Village and Erskine Commons. As the City looked at the Ireland Road Corridor and considered the energy and positive investments developing, inquiries about other locations for investment, including the golf course, were received.
Staff began to ask "what if" questions. What if we could provide a better golf facility with amenities that would help sustain operations while keeping greens fees affordable? What if we could have quality retail, commercial and residential development at the site that would also keep forty acres for park land which would be accessible all year round? What if we could end up with not only better facilities, but also more park land and green space? These were not the only considerations, but they set a threshold that must be passed before any proposal could be considered and brought forward for full public discussion.
The City also contacted the Erskine heirs during the review process. At that time, they did not voice any objections to the concept of redeveloping and relocating Erskine Golf Course. The City wanted to investigate the opportunity of creating a new, improved golf course, adding more park land in the city, and preserving significant greenspace at the current site while continuing to honor the original intentions of the Erskine gift.
"We recognize that the demand for additional residential, retail and entertainment opportunities requires pro-active planning," stated Mayor Luecke. The City of South Bend believes in a balanced approach that is based on "Smart Growth" principals of neighborhood livability and promoting distinctive, attractive communities. Having asked the "What if" questions, we have concluded that we could not meet the threshold for pursuing this concept further. Any positives which might result would not outweigh the negatives associated with changing the use of the property.
"I appreciate the passion that has been expressed for Erskine Golf Course and I appreciate the public input regarding the overall improvements for the South Side," said Mayor Luecke. "We have a terrific Parks & Recreation system that we have expanded and improved with the addition of the O'Brien Rec Center, Phase I of Fredrickson Park, the water playground at Kennedy Park, and the new neighborhood park on the southeast side. Our Parks are a key component of the quality of life in South Bend."
Staff will continue to work with developers and investors on projects for the South Side at other locations along the Ireland Road corridor. We look forward to building on the positive momentum at Erskine Village and Erskine Commons.
Mary Ann Myers
Office of Mayor Steve Luecke
574-235-9261
St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN