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
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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 24 2008, 03:08 PM
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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=57991.57
QUOTE Eminent Domain City Goes To Court To Seize Two Parcels Editorial It is unfortunate that Michigan City is using eminent domain to acquire two pieces or property along the Trail Creek corridor. The Redevelopment Commission, through its attorney, Michael Bergerson, filed the eminent domain petition in Superior Court 3 last week to acquire Weber Sign Co. and the Ice House, a vacant building owned by Thomas and Florence Sobkowiak. Eminent domain is when a government seizes property that belongs to someone else. Although the government is required to pay for the property, when it involves an ongoing business like Weber Sign Co., the value of the business can vary dramatically. That is what has happened. Because of contamination underneath those properties - contamination that is no fault of either property owner - once the city acquires the land it will have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to clean it up. As a result, Michigan City offered Weber Sign $1 for the property and $175,000 as a "relocation fee." Eminent domain is always controversial. Because it is a lethal weapon that government can use, it should only be used as a last resort. Because negotiations have been going on for about five years to acquire the land, the city obviously feels it has reached the end of the line. What makes it difficult is that it could put a viable company out of business, or at the least force it to move. Neither is acceptable to the owners of Weber Sign. Kathy Weber said the city's offer simply isn't enough for it to equip a new building to suit its needs and move. There is a desperate need for the city to improve the Trail Creek corridor and Mayor Chuck Oberlie has promised to make that and North End development priorities of the city this year. The unfortunate fact is that to accomplish that, the owners of two pieces of property have been told by the city they have no choice but to sell, whether they like the offer or not. Our Opinion The Issue: The Redevelopment Commission is seeking a court order to acquire Weber Sign Co. and the "ice house." Our Opinion: It is unfortunate that eminent domain is being resorted to. It always should be a last resort, but when the sides can't agree, only a court can set the amount of compensation |
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