South Shore plans $65 million project |
South Shore plans $65 million project |
Jun 9 2009, 01:25 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39824.82
QUOTE 17 crossings may be eliminated The NICTD preliminary concept for rerouting the South Shore through Michigan City eliminates 17 of the current 34 street crossings. The 17 intersections are marked on the preliminary concept for the South Shore relocation. While the crossing at Washington Street is not Xed out, that is the proposed location for a new train station. Based on the plan, the following crossings would be closed: Carlon Court and adjacent alley, Donnelly Street and adjacent alley, Claire Street, Kentucky Street, Tennessee Street, Elston Street, Manhattan Street, Buffalo Street, Spring Street, Cedar Street, Lafayette Street, York Street, Oak Street, Maple Street and Phillips Avenue. More South Shore details released Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - Property owners with parcels south of current South Shore tracks on 10th and 11th streets await an uncertain future until plans for realigning the commuter train are adopted. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District operates the South Shore and announced last week it intends to significantly re-configure more than two miles of track running through Michigan City. NICTD's preliminary downtown rerouting concept, developed by TranSystems of Chicago, shows the tracks heading south of 10th Street at Sheridan Avenue and proceeding through town to a point just east of Michigan Boulevard, where the regular route resumes. John Parsons, NICTD spokesperson, said properties north of 11th Street will not be affected. He said the specific houses and properties that would be impacted by the change have not yet been identified. He said the project, estimated at $65 million, has been developed at a "gross level of detail" and changes could be made as the engineering process moves forward. A map labeled "Preliminary Downtown Reroute Concept" shows a South Shore station and 775-space parking area between Franklin and Wabash streets and from Warren Street north to 11th Street. The map includes station information that lists the current 11th Street parking lot at 42 spaces and the Carroll Avenue station at 155 spaces. Those stations would be replaced with the new downtown station. The new route is designed to eliminate the curve between 10th and 11th streets near the Amtrak intersection, and also remove the curve at Cedar and Lafayette streets. As now indicated on the map, the tracks run parallel but one row of houses south of the existing 11th street tracks between Kentucky Street and Michigan Boulevard. At Sheridan Avenue, looking east, the proposed route angles to the right, eventually running well behind the houses on the south side of 10th Street and linking directly with the portion of track that would be just south of 11th Street. Chicago Street would be rerouted, but it would retain a crossing of the South Shore tracks. Depending on funding and station design, Parsons said a parking ramp could be constructed, allowing for private developers to create an activity center in the areas surrounding the station. An environmental impact statement will be required before property can be purchased, Parsons said. "An environmental impact statement and public hearing are required as part of the process," he said. "The specifics will follow as part of the on-going process to qualify for federal funding." NICTD has yet to obtain funding for the detailed engineering plan that comes next, Parsons said. Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie has reviewed the NICTD preliminary downtown route and will present the plan to the City Council for its approval. Parsons expects some issues to be raised by the council at that point. "We certainly want to develop a plan in concert with Michigan City that meets their needs," Parsons said. Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com. |
Aug 23 2009, 10:11 AM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=42883.01
QUOTE Houses in jeopardy? This is the first of two stories on houses that could be demolished if the proposed South Shore relocation occurs. Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - Preliminary South Shore relocation plans, released in June, call for removing a two-mile swath of houses on the south side of 11th Street as part of a track realignment. Meanwhile, people like Linda and Gene Rodriguez have been working hard to renovate some properties on 11th Street that could be slated for demolition. The couple was surprised to find out about the South Shore plan. They had completely renovated a duplex at the corner of 11th and Spring streets, and now live in the upper level. Since then, they have purchased a dilapidated 100-year-old brick house on the opposite corner. "It broke my heart," Linda said about the South Shore plan. "We've been working ourselves to death on these houses." She and her husband are investing time and money into the renovations, but Linda said she believes they will recoup their investment. "We're going to be OK no matter what if we get fair market value," she said. Still, she's not happy with how some changes could impact the neighborhood. While walking across 11th Street from one of their houses to the other, Linda said, "Can you imagine seeing fences? It's not going to be a neighborhood." Both sides of a new South Shore track would be fenced, according to plans of the public agency that operates the commuter train, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. As for her neighbors, Linda said, "There seems to be a general consensus that they (government) are going to do what they want. They don't think there is anything they can do." The Rodriguezes moved here two years ago after retiring to be close to their grandchildren. They fell in love with Michigan City. "We like the fact that we are close to transportation, the beach, restaurants and the marina," Gene said. Wanting to diversify their investment portfolio, they decided to purchase and renovate rundown properties, converting them into decent rentals. As retirees, they have the time and energy to do much of the work themselves. "We like improving neighborhoods," Gene said. "The more you do this, you don't get so scared." The duplex they refurbished had been used by crack addicts and dog fighting rings. "The yard was a garbage dump," Linda said. "There were dirty diapers, beer cans, crack pipes and spoons. The neighbors told us stories that broke our hearts." When the Rodriguezes tackled the first property improvement project, they felt the energy change in the neighborhood. The homeowner next door repainted their house. Linda talks about the Elston Middle School student who walked by their house on her way home and did a double take after noticing the transformation. "These are good, stable, long-term neighbors," Linda said. "This is a pretty mobile neighborhood. People like to take walks and wave at their neighbors." The Rodriguezes moved into the upper part of their duplex last October, and rented the lower part. Linda pointed to a window where she would look across the street at the house the couple is currently working on. "I looked at this house and it looked like it had been cared for but nothing was going on," she said. "The potential was amazing. We walked over to check it out and saw vandals had stolen some of the siding." Gene called vacant, rundown properties "magnets for crime." "Vagrants were coming in and out of here," Gene said. "We got into one closet and found a pillow and comforter." They also found raccoons and their babies, cats and fleas. "We're doing a complete renovation," Gene said, listing new drywall, ceiling repairs, new plumbing, electrical work, a new roof and foundation as some of the things to be addressed. The couple figures they have time to complete the work and rent out the house before having to worry about the South Shore. "If they say it's going to happen in two to five years, our experience with the federal government is it will take longer than that," Linda said. Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com. |
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