August 1, 2025 – The City of South Bend will begin construction on streetscape improvements along Wall Street between Greenlawn Avenue and Ironwood Drive starting Monday, August 4 as part of the River Park Neighborhood Plan. The project aims to enhance access to Potawatomi Park and Zoo, increase on-street parking for visitors and improve pedestrian safety throughout the area.
The project includes two raised intersections and two raised crosswalks on Wall Street, as well as curb bumpouts and new sidewalks to improve walkability. Nearly 50 additional on-street parking spaces will be added along Wall Street for park visitors. Other improvements include street repaving and new tree plantings. A refuge island will also be constructed at the intersection of Ironwood Drive and Wall Street to improve safety for pedestrians crossing Ironwood Drive.
Construction will be completed in two phases:
Phase 1: August 4 to early September, weather permitting
Starting Monday, August 4, Wall Street will be closed between Greenlawn Avenue and Cesar Chavez Drive for the first phase of construction. The detour route will be Mishawaka Avenue via Ironwood and Twyckenham drives. Work includes:
• Installation of raised intersections and crossings with corner pedestrian safety bumpouts
• New sidewalk on the south side of Wall Street
• New curbs on both sides of Wall Street
• Repaving Wall Street and creating 50 additional parking spaces
During this phase, drivers will access Potawatomi Zoo from Wall Street off Ironwood Drive. This phase is expected to be completed by early September, weather permitting.
Phase 2: Early September to early October, weather permitting
During Phase 2, Wall Street from Cesar Chavez Drive to Ironwood Drive will be closed. This includes the intersection of Wall Street and Ironwood Drive. (A press release with more details will be released closer to the scheduled closure.) Work includes:
• Median refuge island for pedestrian crossing of Ironwood Drive at Wall Street
• New curbs and sidewalks on the north and south sides of Wall Street
• Repaving Wall Street and the intersection
The project should be complete by early October, weather permitting. For more information on the project, visit together.southbendin.gov/wall.
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