Facade work underway on the former Ward Baking building near downtown South Bend

SOUTH BEND — After more than a year of work, crews have begun the process of restoring the facade of the former Ward Baking Co., building on Portage Avenue.

The facade work, which was made possible by a $300,000 infusion of tax increment financing money from the city, is the first visible evidence of what's been going on inside the 56,000-square-foot building.

To date, the Bakery Group has invested about $900,000 in clearing the building, fixing the roof and skylights and ensuring the structural integrity of the building, among other work.

The developer hopes to soon secure bank financing for the project, which is expected to cost at least $3.75 million to complete.

More: Ward Baking building to be transformed into a space for shops, artists

Mike Keen, president of the Bakery Group, said the company hopes to have the first tenants in the building early next year. Eventually, the group would like to see a mix of retail, studios, shared office space and professional services in the building — portions of which date to the early 1900s.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Facade renovation begins on Ward Baking building in South Bend