South Bend Mayor James Mueller discusses Reparatory Justice Report, infrastructure and Lafayette Building fire

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - South Bend Mayor James Mueller discussed several pressing topics during an appearance on 16 Morning News Now, including the city’s formal apology for more than a century of systemic discrimination against Black residents.

A city commission released a 138-page report that found South Bend systematically denied equal access to basic needs for Black residents for more than a century. The formal apology was issued Tuesday.

Mueller said the city has focused on directing resources to underrepresented groups.

“One of the things that we’re proud about is our Revolving Loan Fund and our Opportunity Fund has gone in large part to underrepresented groups,” Mueller said. “And that’s our goal, to make sure every neighborhood is strong and everyone has an opportunity to thrive here in South Bend.

Bendix Drive repairs face federal funding delays

Mueller also addressed the city’s summer paving program. Residents have stressed that Bendix Drive needs attention, and the mayor said federal funding requirements are slowing the project.

“This is one of the bigger challenges. If we get federal funding for a project, which Bendix is one of those, it actually takes us longer because federal funding is programmed years ahead,” Mueller said. “It’s great to get the money, and it allows us to do more streets overall, but it does slow us down on certain streets.”

Mueller also discussed the major fire at the historic Lafayette Building during his interview on 16 Morning News Now. You can watch his full conversation with WNDU’s Tricia Sloma in the video above.

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