North end could be "choice area", Andrews North End Plan discussion |
North end could be "choice area", Andrews North End Plan discussion |
Jan 17 2008, 08:07 AM
Post
#1
|
|
Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,460 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=32796.78
QUOTE Oberlie: North End Can Be 'Choice' Area Jason Miller The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - In his annual state-of-the-city address last week, Mayor Chuck Oberlie outlined his fast-track plans for the city's North End in hopes that after the first quarter of 2008, the engine of change will be humming. Saying the area isn't pedestrian friendly or visually pleasing, he hopes the results of three studies laying out possibilities for the North End turn the area - through a unified vision - into the city's "neighborhood of choice." "The beauty of it all is that I outlined 21 different projects, and all of them will be moving forward as of (Thursday)," he said. "And they can all move forward without hurting the others." Oberlie also released a small portfolio featuring a few ideas for North End redevelopment gleaned from three studies the city has commissioned in the last two years. The most visually striking of the ideas is a large residential and commercial area along Trail Creek which, in theory, would include three large high-rise buildings just across the creek from Blue Chip Casino. Oberlie's thoughts are that developing the Trail Creek Corridor from Eighth Street to Washington Park would turn the city's North End into the crown jewel of the city. His hopes aren't without precedent. Although its size pales in comparison to that of Michigan City, the town of Saugatuck, Mich., benefits greatly from a developed Kalamazoo River, which houses not only hundreds of private boat slips, but residences, shops and restaurants like those Oberlie envisions for Trail Creek. "Our boating industry is a huge element of our success, if not the lifeblood of our town," second-term Saugatuck Mayor Tony Vettori said Friday. "And it's all due to the fact that there's so much to do right along the river. It brings in boaters and non-boaters." Like Michigan City, Saugatuck features a river that leads to a large, heavily used beach and the waters of Lake Michigan. Vettori said the beach benefits from the downtown river scene, just as the downtown benefits from the beach and Lake Michigan. "We've become an art destination and a shopping destination. And Oval Beach is rated one of the top 10 beaches in the country," Vettori said. "The water is all a part of what draws people here, and I'd think it would have the same effect in Michigan City." |
Jan 18 2008, 02:09 PM
Post
#2
|
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 389 Joined: 7-March 07 Member No.: 90 |
I thought (re)moving the library was interesting, but still think it is not Necessary. I dont see why all the building would happen in between all the shops on mich Blvd Franklin.
The best thing was the idea of making it a Gold Diamond, instead of, a Golden Triangle, by developing the 11th street South Shore station: Franklin St Bridge--8th and Mich--Station--Lighthouse place(let's say 6th and Wabash). Potratz the architect has talked about the east/west corridor as a neglected key part of any plan, prob along 6th st. |
Jan 18 2008, 09:59 PM
Post
#3
|
|
Really Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 627 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 41 |
I thought (re)moving the library was interesting, but still think it is not Necessary. I dont see why all the building would happen in between all the shops on mich Blvd Franklin. The best thing was the idea of making it a Gold Diamond, instead of, a Golden Triangle, by developing the 11th street South Shore station: Franklin St Bridge--8th and Mich--Station--Lighthouse place(let's say 6th and Wabash). Potratz the architect has talked about the east/west corridor as a neglected key part of any plan, prob along 6th st. The Golden Triangle did not work. Trying a failed plan over only bigger sounds just like what Oberlie would do. Winski's plan so for is the only one that would attract developers to use their money instead of ours. |
Jan 18 2008, 10:11 PM
Post
#4
|
|
Really Comfortable Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 |
The Golden Triangle did not work. Trying a failed plan over only bigger sounds just like what Oberlie would do. Winski's plan so for is the only one that would attract developers to use their money instead of ours. I have to disagree here. The Golden Triangle was never anything that would "work," is simply is. The main features of the north end are the casino boat, the lakefront, and the outlet mall. That is a simple fact. It's also a fact that no one has done anything to use the "Golden Triangle" to jump start north end redevelopment even though it has been talked about since the original Andersen plan. Though there have been major steps backward (can you say "Franklin Square"?) which were implemented by certain people who are still running the show. |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 26th September 2024 - 07:23 AM |
Skin Designed By: neo at www.neonetweb.com