Pete Buttigieg took big swings and declared 'South Bend is back.' Is it really back?

In his eight years as South Bend’s mayor, Pete Buttigieg drew fans and foes but one thing was clear: he wasn’t afraid to take big, bold swings.

Whether it was tearing down abandoned homes or redesigning downtown streets, he often had a narrative about the greater good the initiatives would accomplish.

Buttigieg, whose last day in office is Wednesday, has painted a picture of a down-on-its-luck city, still reeling from the loss of a past era of manufacturing, and how his moves helped revitalize his hometown.

In his farewell speech to the Common Council earlier this month, Buttigieg repeated his theme about bringing new life and energy to the city, declaring, “South Bend is back.”

Critics have been far less generous in their assessments of the city’s progress, or lack thereof, under Buttigieg. They say the big swings have been big misses.

So is South Bend really back? The answer may come down to how you interpret the question, and your perspective. As with any mayor, the record offers a mixed bag of answers, with some clear wins and some glaring setbacks.

Downtown underwent a dramatic transformation under Buttigieg’s leadership. One-way streets became two-way. Speed limits were reduced. Driving lanes were narrowed. Trees were planted. Decorative brick pavers were laid.

Buttigieg and his supporters say the more pedestrian-friendly downtown has spurred more than $190 million in private investment, as several key buildings found new life, transformed into hotels, apartments and restaurants.

As the economy recovered from the recession of 2008-’09, some of that investment might have been inevitable, as Buttigieg benefited from a rebounding national economy. Supporters still credit the mayor for setting the tone and aggressively pursuing projects.