Final plans for Elkhart's River District unveiled

The Elkhart River District is a 105-acre downtown peninsula bounded by the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers. The project, aimed to provide a live-work-play space, is expected to surge an urban vision with economic energy into expanding Elkhart’s downtown to match the trends of other thriving urban environments.

Kicking things off, Mayor Tim Neese emphasized the importance of the River District and how it’s part of the city’s overall economic development strategy to attract new residents.

In less than 10 years, he said the city of Elkhart went from massive unemployment to today, having more job openings than it does available workers. In previous reports, Neese said there are approximately 28,000 commuters that work in Elkhart, but reside elsewhere. He said he believes the district will be a “game-changer” by addressing the city’s need for housing.

“What I have learned throughout the River District process is that focusing on our economic development efforts solely on job creation is an old school way of thinking,” Neese said. “In order to be competitive in today’s economy, we have to think about having people to come here.”