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." |
Feb 2 2008, 02:58 PM
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Really Comfortable Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 |
I'm not sure where the N-D got the title for this, but I agree with the title....
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=57378.76 QUOTE Saturday, February 02, 2008 South Shore Tracks Should Stay On 11th Richard Murphy Saturday, February 02, 2008 In recent newspaper articles, NICTD has indicated they'd like to move the South Shore tracks that run through Michigan City's downtown. Some residents have expressed concerns about the South Shore tracks being rerouted out of Michigan City's downtown and the impact this will have on our city's long-term economic growth potential. In the recent Andrews University charette, urban designers, architects and transportation consultants, many with national reputations, agreed with the following thesis: Keeping the rails in the North End of Michigan City by improving them where they are or by moving them north will provide a powerful engine of economic growth; whereas very little economic benefits would accrue by moving the rails to the south. The support for this thesis is that keeping the rails in the heart of our downtown, walking distance from the downtown neighborhoods and the lake, would allow for a powerful growth phenomenon called Transit Oriented Development to occur. This is a concept that NICTD itself promotes. A transit-oriented development (TOD) is a mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership. A TOD neighborhood typically has a center with a train station surrounded by relatively high-density development with progressively lower-density development spreading outward from the center. TODs generally are located within a radius of one-quarter to one-half mile from a transit stop, as this is considered to be an appropriate scale for pedestrians. Transit-oriented development (TOD) embraces the vision for the North End that has been put forth with the Andrews University North End plan, the Lohan Anderson plan, and the Elston Grove Streetscape plan. TOD growth doesn't just happen. It must be coordinated and targeted toward potential buyers and developers in the North End. Once we confirm where our train station will be located for the long term, we possess a powerful marketing strategy to bring development to the North End. I have done extensive research on this issue and would like to offer some facts: 1. NICTD has indicated it has a preference for the option of moving the tracks to the south along Ames Field, a move that benefits NICTD from a cost and operational standpoint. 2. With regard to any relocation of the South Shore tracks, NO decision has been made by the administration of Michigan City. 3. With regard to any relocation or improvements of the South Shore tracks, discussions have just begun to take place within the community. 4. Indiana State Rep. Scott Pelath has recently proposed a funding bill for improvements of the South Shore tracks. These funds could be used for relocation of the tracks to the north or to the south or to improve the existing 11th corridor. The language of the bill remains quite general, and open to all possibilities. 5. There has been no analysis to date performed on how a relocation or improvement of the South Shore tracks would impact Michigan City's economy. I understand that we must allow NICTD to operate as a viable commuter rail and that there are challenges to its current operations through MIchigan City. The South Shore is a tremendous asset to our community. We need to work with NICTD to overcome these challenges. But it is important that NICTD and Michigan City residents understand that the North End of Michigan has been identified as one of the most exciting redevelopment opportunities in the United States. The reason for this is the large amount of affordable undeveloped land and intact historic housing stock so close to Lake Michigan and in close proximity to Chicago. In essence, Chicago is virtually walking distance from neighborhoods of the North End of Michigan City by virtue of a commuter railroad running through our downtown. The dramatic changes we foresee in the North End over the long term are changes that can transform Michigan City and bring more jobs, a larger tax base, and a higher quality of life. Hence, we have two goals, one a viable commuter railroad, the other a tremendous redevelopment opportunity that could bring prosperity to Michigan City. Surely we can find a compromise where both goals can be realized. q Richard Murphy is First Ward councilman in Michigan City. |
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