News Release
ELKHART — Elkhart is undergoing one of the most transformative investment periods in its history, announced Mayor Rod Roberson at his State of the City Address Tuesday, April 22.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 450 people, Roberson credited the city’s ASPIRE framework, a strategic focus on infrastructure, public safety, quality of place and neighborhood investment.
Downtown Redevelopment And The River District
The River District, once home to manufacturing, has been redeveloped through $250 million in public-private partnerships into a mixed-use neighborhood with an event center, offices and restaurants. Roberson’s leadership in this effort earned him the Mayors’ Vision Award at the International Making Cities Livable conference in Cortona, Italy.
Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson
Under the Downtown Master Plan, two major street conversions are expected to stimulate economic growth and improve safety: Benham Avenue will shift to a single exit, two-way street, while Second and Third Streets will also become two-way corridors to link downtown with South-Central Elkhart.
In 2024, the city issued 17 permits totaling $90 million for new commercial, industrial and multifamily developments. Amazon broke ground on a $35 million delivery facility near the airport and is set to open a new robotic fulfillment center this fall. Retailers such as Freddy’s, Five Guys and WoodSpring Suites also opened locations along key corridors.
The Elkhart Municipal Airport saw more than 30,000 flights last year, prompting the city to secure funding for 10 new T-hangars to support growing traffic.
Infrastructure And Public Safety
Roberson highlighted infrastructure improvements including the resurfacing of Johnson Street — a project completed in-house that saved the city nearly $15 million. The Street Department laid 74,000 pounds of asphalt and repaired 14,000 feet of curbs and sidewalks last year.
Water infrastructure saw major upgrades as well. A $35 million wastewater treatment expansion increased capacity by 50%, while the city broke ground on a $38 million storage tank — the largest public works project in Elkhart’s history. Cleaner waterways enabled the return of outdoor programs like the Family Fish Fest and Super Full Moon Kayak, the latter earning statewide recognition for innovation.
The city also acquired the historic downtown Chase Building, which will be converted into a unified police, fire and 911 communications center. Additional public safety investments include nine new firefighters, three fire engines and the upcoming opening of Station 6.
Housing And Neighborhood Development
Roberson reported 800 multifamily housing units have been built in the county over the past decade, with 450 more expected by year’s end. Elkhart has partnered with La Casa and Habitat for Humanity on a 15-home subdivision on Homer Avenue.
The city also acquired the former Pierre Moran Mall, now known as Woodland Crossing. The site is being redeveloped into a mixed-use neighborhood services hub, supported by investments from Goodwill Industries and Heart City Health Center totaling more than $25 million. At the former Concord Mall site, now Concord Business Park, nearly all vacant spaces have been leased.
Community Resources And Engagement
The Lerner Theater hosted more than 35,000 guests in 2024 as part of its yearlong centennial celebration, and the Elkhart Jazz Festival continued to draw visitors.
The New York Central Railroad Museum restored its 50-year-old amusement train and track, with more than 3,000 riders in its first six months back in operation. Additional park and green space upgrades, including enhancements to the Island Park Disc Golf Course, are planned to continue through 2025.
The city’s “Trees for the Hart” initiative, which aims to plant 2,000 trees by 2028, is currently on hold due to a pause in federal funding.
Roberson also spotlighted the MyElkhart 311 app, which helped resolve over 5,000 non-emergency service requests last year. In response to accessibility advocate Willow Townsend, 12, the city plans to install ADA-compliant curb ramps and pedestrian signals in the downtown area.
Elkhart will host the Indiana Conference of Mayors in July. Roberson concluded by emphasizing his administration’s ongoing work with state and federal legislators to advocate for local priorities.