NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

November 25, 2025

City of South Bend
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
574-235-5841

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for an activity to be undertaken using Community Development Block Grant Funds.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about December 15, 2025, the City of South Bend will submit a request to the HUD Indianapolis Field Office for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following project:

Project Title: Western Avenue Transformation District
Location: 500 Block of W Western Avenue, South Bend and 628 W. Western Avenue
Purpose and Scope of Project: The City of South Bend will use the CDBG funds to catalyze the first of two phases of development of the Western Avenue Transformation District. Phase 1 will be a mixed income development with more than 200 units comprised of market rate, tax credits and project-based voucher units with a community center and green space.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.36
Estimated Project Cost: Requesting approximately $10,000,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of South Bend has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record on file at South Bend City Hall, Department of Community Investment, 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 500, South Bend, IN and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of South Bend Department of Community Investment, South Bend City Hall, Suite 500, South Bend, IN or federalgrants@southbendin.gov. All comments received by December 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM will be considered by the City of South Bend prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of South Bend certifies to HUD that James Mueller in his capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of South Bend to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of South Bend’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of South Bend; (b) the City of South Bend has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at CPDRROFIND@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend

Note: The fifteen or eighteen-day public comment periods are the minimum time periods required by regulation prior to submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Certification (form HUD-7015.15) to HUD/State. The Responsible Entity may choose to allow a longer comment period. 24 CFR Part 58 requires, at Section 58.46, “Time delays for exceptional circumstances,” a 30-day comment period for controversial or unique projects or those similar to projects normally requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. The fifteen-day objection period is a statutory requirement. The objection period follows the submission date specified in the Notice or the actual date of receipt by HUD/State, whichever is later.

    Following completion of the comment period recipients may FAX the form HUD-7015.15 to HUD/State together with a copy of the public notice and a cover letter stating whether comments were received and, if so, how the recipient responded to the comment.  The Request for Release of Funds and Certification should not be submitted before the recipient has responded.  If the request is sent by FAX, the original signed form should be mailed to HUD/State.  The date of receipt by FAX will be counted as the submission date.  However, HUD will not issue the 7015.16 “Authority to Use Grant Funds” until after the original signed form is received.