Projectwork consists of constructing a 40,000+ square foot community center, including two basketball gyms, outbuildings, site amenities and streetscape improvements. Due to the large scope of the project, construction activities have been divided into 21 different bid packages. The City encourages all contractors to consider responding to the project bid, including those who have not previously bid on City contracts.
The opening of bids will take place at 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, September 26. Construction is scheduled to start Fall 2023.
Identified as an intergenerational resource in South Bend, the King Center project was developed by the community from a collection of public workshop sessions and is guided by the following principles: relevant & impactful, inclusive, excellent, and sustainable. To learn more about the project and its guiding principles, visit
southbendin.gov/buildthedream. With the center under construction, programming has been moved to the Charles Black Community Center, located at 3419 W Washington Street, South Bend. For more information on fitness class offerings and after school programming, please visit
sbvpa.org/things-to-do.
There will be an entirely new building constructed as part of this project. Adding on to the aging existing building, which was built in 1973, would be problematic and would likely not save any money. The new building will be built to current building codes and modern sustainability practices. We are committed to providing the community with a building with first class quality.
The new MLK center is currently, and will continue to be, a Venues Parks & Arts community center. There will not be a price for admission and most of the programming will be free, just as it is now. Just like current operations, there will be certain camps, activities, and amenities that require fees.
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