[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...;ArticleID=8299

1/3/2008 9:28:00 AM
Mayor: '08 Is Year For The North End
Oberlie touts ideas, progress as he welcomes four new members to Michigan City council.

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Chuck Oberlie kicked off his second full term as mayor Wednesday night by proclaiming 2008 will see the city's long-awaited North End redevelopment plans begin to bear fruit.

"The question before us tonight as we begin this shared journey over the next four years is this: Will this year, the year 2008, be the year when our city's North End potential starts to become a reality?" Oberlie said Wednesday. "I stand before you tonight and answer unequivocally, yes it is."

Oberlie welcomed four new members to the city council Wednesday during his annual state of the city address, in which he outlined 21 different goals for the North End, each of which he said can be accomplished.

He laid out a list of things he wants done by the end of the second quarter of this year, including the hiring of a master developer and several designs.

Oberlie touted four "grass-roots" planning efforts that took place in 2007, which he thinks will begin pushing the city toward a refurbishment of the North End. His plans include making the area more attractive to retailers, residents and developers. Those efforts include plans and studies that were developed and presented in '07, including information gathered from a group consisting of local residents and businesspeople who outlined what they felt would best serve six different areas of the city's North End.

The mayor feels the city's North End will become the "neighborhood of choice" for new residents and for people who "either want to live near the waters of Trail Creek and Lake Michigan, or who want to live in the emerging urban core of our city," he said.

His faith in North End redevelopment received a shot in the arm in November when four new council members were elected to the board, including three who have been outspoken proponents of North End redevelopment.

First-Ward councilman Richard Murphy, 2nd-Ward councilman Marc Espar and new At-Large councilman Bob McKee have been on board with Oberlie's North End thoughts for more than a year.

"It seems we're on the same page with this," Murphy said after hearing Oberlie's address. "I think things will go pretty smoothly. I'm excited."

Oberlie also said in his address that he's pleased with job creation in the city, including the groundbreaking for a new Vanair facility on County Road 300 North and a new Sullivan-Palatek facility on U.S. 20.

He touted a move to contract with the Indiana Plan to provide pre-apprentice training in the city and an initiative announced last week to create a position for an Equal Employment Opportunity officer.

He also said his new initiatives should be acted on within the first three months of the year.

"Ladies and gentlement of the 2008 Michigan City Common Council, I believe the next 100 days will define our term in office," Oberlie said. "I am ready, willing and able to get to work with you."

[Roger Kaputnik]

He is such a dinosaur. I can't believe he is in office still. Sheesh.

[Ang]

I can. He's a member of the Good Ol' Boys Club

[Roger Kaputnik]

His imagination of what can be accomplished in the North End runs the gamut from A to B.

[JHeath]

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs....40345/1011/News

M.C. revival would involve redoing Michigan Boulevard, U.S. 35
Mayor issues challenge to realize vision for city's transformation.

STAN MADDUX
Tribune Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY -- Anchored by the latest expansion of Blue Chip Casino, the mayor of Michigan City is predicting 2008 will be the start of a major transformation near the city's lakefront.

"We have talked of the unlimited development possibilities. It's time to turn these conversations into construction," said Chuck Oberlie during his state of the city speech in front of more than 60 people at City Hall Wednesday night.

Last year, Oberlie said, the wheels were set in motion for a pedestrian-friendly, aesthetically pleasing destination point close to the casino, Lake Michigan, Trail Creek and Washington Park Zoo to start taking shape.

For example, Blue Chip hopes to complete a 22-story hotel and 15,000-square-foot conference center by the end of December, bringing more visitors who might want to relocate homes and businesses to the long-struggling north end.

To capitalize, Oberlie challenged the City Council to, by the end of June, approve plans that include 986 new residential units and 55,000 square feet of retail space on 50 acres along the Trail Creek corridor.

Currently, Oberlie revealed, the city is finalizing talks to acquire Blocksom & Co. and other parcels near the casino to free up all of the land for the redevelopment, which also includes a riverwalk.

Oberlie also called for a recommendation by the end of March on whether Franklin Street in the downtown should be converted into a two-way street to promote more vehicular traffic and better access.

Achieving the vision for the north side probably can't happen, though, unless Michigan Boulevard or U.S. 35 is totally redesigned, Oberlie said.

The four-lane major artery to the casino is viewed as an eyesore, with drawbacks such as crumbling sidewalks and concrete barriers in the median hindering smoother traffic flow.

Oberlie said talks are still under way for the state to transfer maintenance of the road to the city, which would allow for major aesthetic improvements.

"As communities around us begin developing their own Lake Michigan waterfronts, we must invest in our public lakefront land or else we will be left behind," Oberlie said.

[Southsider2k12]

It would be a wonderful step forward if it ends up happening. I just fear more studies.

[edgeywood]

I can. He's a member of the Good Ol' Boys Club

Agreed...He did mention the EEO Director, but the comment appeared to be inserted into the speech as an afterthought.

Another item that raised my eyebrows...the need for a new Park Headquarters in Washington Park. Wouldn't it be better for the Park Department to occupy one of our numerous vacant commercial properties?

I did think it was a nice PowerPoint Presentation..I wonder who put it together....

[lovethiscity]

Agreed...He did mention the EEO Director, but the comment appeared to be inserted into the speech as an afterthought.

Another item that raised my eyebrows...the need for a new Park Headquarters in Washington Park. Wouldn't it be better for the Park Department to occupy one of our numerous vacant commercial properties?

I did think it was a nice PowerPoint Presentation..I wonder who put it together....

More than likely it was put together by his speech writer Al Walus.

[Roger Kaputnik]

It is NOT a step forward. He sounds like he wants to pave to the water's edge. Must I keep reiterating why that is such a bad idea? Dude has no imagination. His mind is definitely one of the biggest limits to growth in MC.

[Ang]

More than likely it was put together by his speech writer Al Walus.

Personally, I think it's Cindi that's running the entire show at City Hall.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Aaargh!

[CaddyRich]

Our Man Chuck says that talks are still underway to transfer ownership of the boulevard....huh? Does anyone know what the hold up is? After all, we're not transferring Hong Kong to the Chinese here...

[Roger Kaputnik]

That is RETURNING HK to the Chinese.

[CaddyRich]

That is RETURNING HK to the Chinese.

Oops - wrong word choice on my part - I stand corrected.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Hey, no biggie--ask anyone on the MB, I am live-and-let-live about grammar and diction.

[Dave]

I think returning the Panama Canal to the Panamanians might be more apt, as Hong Kong was a 99 year lease that expired.

[CaddyRich]

I think returning the Panama Canal to the Panamanians might be more apt, as Hong Kong was a 99 year lease that expired.

OK...OK...I get the hint - but the question still stands - What's the hold up with Boul Mich?

[Southsider2k12]

OK...OK...I get the hint - but the question still stands - What's the hold up with Boul Mich?

It is owned by the federal government, need I say more?

[Ang]

It is owned by the federal government, need I say more?

I thought it was owned by the State of Indiana. I know Mayor Shiela tried several years ago to take control of that area. She had all these big plans for removing the middle barriers, planting trees, etc. Essentially making it similar to Franklin St. But the State (or whoever owns it) either didn't want to give it up, or wanted too much money, or some such other reason. The details are foggy in my memory.

[Southsider2k12]

I thought it was owned by the State of Indiana. I know Mayor Shiela tried several years ago to take control of that area. She had all these big plans for removing the middle barriers, planting trees, etc. Essentially making it similar to Franklin St. But the State (or whoever owns it) either didn't want to give it up, or wanted too much money, or some such other reason. The details are foggy in my memory.

Eh, my point still stands