(WSBT) It's an important part of South Bend's history, but some of it needs to be cleared out of the way to make room for the future.

In Wednesday's Good Question, Andy Tripp of Mishawaka asked, "What is the future status of the remaining Studebaker factory buildings?"

The legacy of the Studebaker car can be seen every year. Studebaker owners return to South Bend, the city where the cars were made.

But Studebaker also has another legacy — vacant buildings that still stand more than forty years after the cars were last made.

“And when we're done with this there will be an 80-acre industrial park," explained Andy Laurent, Economic Development Specialist for the City of South Bend. "We'll build new roads, new infrastructure and sell off land for development.”

South Bend leaders say there are four large Studebaker buildings still standing.

The old engine plant right across from the police station was most recently South Bend Lathe.

The city expects to start the year-long process of tearing the building down in August or September.

Right next door is the former Studebaker Foundry building. A business is still using the site, but South Bend is negotiating to buy the property. The city says clearing the site is key before new business can be brought in.

“If someone is looking to grow their business, build a new facility, it's hard to picture what this site will look like until the buildings are gone,” said Laurent.

The two other Studebaker buildings are just south of Coveleski Stadium. A Utah developer plans to renovate the old school administration building into office space.

Right next door a company is using the huge building beyond the Cove outfield as a warehouse. Right now the city has no plans to buy it.