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In Memory

Tom Brooks Brademas - Class Of 1946 VIEW PROFILE

Tom Brooks Brademas

T. Brooks "Tom" Brademas Sr

T. Brooks "Tom" Brademas Sr., an urban developer whose work ranged from planning a new Valdez, Alaska, after that city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake to developing 100 Center in his hometown of Mishawaka, died Friday in his Mishawaka home. He was 79.

Mr. Brademas was the younger brother of former U.S. Rep. John Brademas, who represented Indiana's 3rd Congressional District for 22 years and then served as president of New York University.

Though his first name was "Thomas," Mr. Brademas was known formally as "T. Brooks" and was called "Tom" by all who knew him well.

While he was involved in development work in cities throughout the nation early in his planning career, most of his projects were in South Bend and Mishawaka, many while he headed City Planning Associates, a firm he founded in Mishawaka in 1958.

Projects locally included turning the old South Bend Lathe Works buildings into what initially were the Works Hotel and Spaghetti Works Restaurant, restoration of numerous apartment and commercial structures and preservation of historic buildings.

Perhaps his most celebrated local project was turning the abandoned Kamm's brewery complex along Lincoln Way in Mishawaka into 100 Center. Innovative approaches included a movie theater in the old brewery boiler house and a mix of retail, restaurant and entertainment operations of a type not then common outside downtown areas.

In turning abandoned or neglected property into successful operations, Mr. Brademas became one of the major property taxpayers in St. Joseph County.

After the Good Friday 1964 earthquake and resulting tidal wave devastated portions of Alaska, leaving Valdez in ruins, Mr. Brademas and his City Planning Associates planned an entire new city, a development that kept Valdez on the map and prepared for expansion that was to come with oil pipeline development.

Numerous proposals for development by Mr. Brademas never won local approval. Friends said it was often because he was "too far ahead of his time." Critics said it was more often because he had a confrontational approach that turned governmental decisionmakers against him.

Indeed, he didn't hesitate to speak bluntly at governmental and civic meetings about what he found to be lost opportunities or erroneous decisions. He once began a presentation to a Chamber of Commerce group by saying: "Let me start off by issuing an apology to anyone I offend today." The Tribune article about his appearance reported that he went on for 30 minutes to step on toes of city, county and school officials and the Chamber hosts.

When he was so outspoken, it was clear that he felt deeply about what he believed to be the best interests of his community and its citizens. He often supported the causes of the children, the elderly, the homeless and the needy. He put his money behind his words with many contributions to projects and causes.

Former Congressman Brademas, now president emeritus of New York University, said he was "deeply proud" of the life of his brother as "a brilliant, hardworking and dedicated businessman and community leader."

He added:

"That the mayor of Mishawaka once issued a proclamation declaring 'Tom Brademas Day' and that Tom was honored by so many organizations for outstanding public service is a mark of the high regard in which he was held."

Mr. Brademas was born May 16, 1928, in Mishawaka. His father, Stephen, was an immigrant from Greece. His mother, Beatrice, was a school teacher for more than 50 years. Mr. Brademas often said they instilled an interest in pursuing education and a drive for success and public service.

He graduated from South Bend Central High School, served in the Army in occupation of Japan, received an architectural degree with honors from the University of Illinois and earned a master's degree in city planning from the University of Michigan.

Surviving are two sons, Stephen of South Bend and Thomas Jr. of Niles; a daughter, Patricia Ann of Mishawaka; two grandchildren, Kyle and Kayle of Niles; a sister, Eleanor Keb Brazeau of South Bend; and two brothers, John of New York City and James of Tucson, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, J. Michael Brademas.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Welsheimer North Funeral Home, 17033 Cleveland Road. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family has asked that any donations in Mr. Brademas' name be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Sep. 22, 2007.

01/03/2023 EJS



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