The landscape in the shadow of Notre Dame Stadium will change dramatically in the coming weeks after the South Bend Board of Public Works today awarded contracts for major public improvements related to the $200 million Eddy Street Commons.

The Board of Works awarded a $1.7 million contract for site development work to R&R Excavating of Mishawaka. As the apparent low bidder among four contractors, R&R Excavating will complete earthwork to ready the 25-acre site for construction, including an extension of Napoleon Street.

In addition, the board awarded to F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. Inc. of Indianapolis a more than $15.6 million contract to build a 1,280-vehicle parking garage. The parking garage is at the heart of a mixed-use development that includes two hotels, more than 20 stores and restaurants, 75,000 square feet of office space as well as hundreds of town homes, apartments and condominiums.

Both contracts are contingent upon the transfer of the property ownership from the University of Notre Dame to Kite Realty Group, the project's developer, and the transfer of the land designated for public improvements from Kite to the City of South Bend.

"After more than a decade of planning by the city with neighbors, Notre Dame and other partners, it is exciting to see the work begin on one of the region's largest single developments in decades," said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. "This will be a place of great energy, great creativity and great community where people will come together. With Eddy Street Commons, South Bend will become a stronger competitor for economic spending in connection with the state's second-largest tourist destination."

The project will directly create 779 jobs during construction and another 1,132 jobs over 10 years within the development itself.

To support the project, the city is committed to providing the needed infrastructure, including parking, new streets and utilities. An economic impact calculation reveals that for every $1 the city commits, it will get $41 back.

An announcement is anticipated soon from Notre Dame and Kite regarding the property transfer. Groundbreaking on the project is anticipated this spring.

Contact:  Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 or Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, 235-9251