Hopes for the rebirth of South Saint Joseph as a retail trade center are riding on a new development plan to be unveiled Tuesday evening. Former Mayor Larry Stobbs says the South Side Development Corporation wants to build on what the area already has: a family-friendly place with businesses that know your name. Developers would not seek “big box” stores like a Walmart.

Stobbs says the initial development area would expand a block at a time as business and residential activity grow. The plan has taken three years to develop at a cost of about $200,000, none of it taxpayer money. The group will unveil the plan from 5:30 to 7:30 Tuesday evening at Southside Hall, 302 Illinois Avenue.