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[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=32796.78

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."

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39933.56

Riverfront District Envisioned
Officials believe more liquor licenses will help attract visitors.

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - When Valparaiso officials had an itch to improve their downtown several years ago, they figured a good way was to attract top-flight restaurants to the five-square-block area.

So Mayor Jon Costas petitioned the state to allow him to create a special district that would allow the city to raise its quota of liquor licenses.

Michigan City officials hope to mimic Valparaiso's success by turning the Trail Creek Corridor into a special riverfront district. That would allow it to attract developers looking to build upscale restaurants along the soon-to-be redeveloped creek.

"The purpose of the legislation is to provide an incentive for economic development to spur development," Michigan City Redevelopment Commission Attorney Michael Bergerson said this week. "It's a tool used to attract investors and that could be a help to the city."

Bergerson said the city hopes by creating a riverfront district from E Street to Lake Michigan, the state's Alcohol and Tobacco Commission will allow developers to apply for liquor licenses.

The city is above its quota of licenses by 13, which could dissuade developers from choosing to build restaurants in what is planned to be a booming Trail Creek Corridor.

"Without creating this district, these new businesses wouldn't be able to exist," Bergerson said. "It's important to the development down there."

The state bases quotas on a city's population by granting one license for every 1,500 residents. The city's population is about 33,000.

Shirley Kirby, office manager for the commission, said Michigan City currently has 35 "three-way licenses" - which allow for the sale of beer, wine and liquor. The quota is 22, but has decreased as the population has dropped.

Two years ago, Valparaiso was able to procure 10 additional licenses for its downtown, and those additional licenses have borne fruit. Three existing restaurants received licenses, and two new restaurants have recently opened.

Valparaiso Economic Development Director Matt Murphy said the city wanted to turn the downtown into a focal point of the town and create a dining destination for people throughout the area.

"We realized that the downtown is important to the city's vitality. We need to be creative to keep it prosperous," Murphy said.

Dan Radke, owner of Pioneer Lumber and part owner of Bridges, a restaurant on Trail Creek, said he thinks creating a riverfront district will be a boon for the city.

"I'm excited about it. It's forward thinking," he said. "That type of business brings business. If we had four, five or 30 places like that to come, then hotels would come in. People wouldn't have to drive. They could just walk around and mingle.

"It would definitely add life to this area."

The Redevelopment Commission will present the plan to the City Council in the next month, Bergerson said. If the council approves the move, it will go to the state.

Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.

A Riverfront District
To qualify for the designation of a riverfront district, the area must meet a number of requirements. The most notable are as follows, according to Indiana Code 7.1-3-20-16.1:

• The project boundaries must border on at least one side of a river and may not be located more than 1,500 feet or three city blocks from the river, whichever is greater.

• However, if the area adjacent to the river is incapable of being developed because the area is in a floodplain, or for any other reason that prevents the area from being developed, the distances described (above) are measured from the city blocks located nearest to the river that are capable of being developed.

• The request will also be considered if the permit premises are located within an economic development area, a redevelopment project area, an urban renewal area, a redevelopment area established under Indiana code, an economic development project district, or a community revitalization enhancement district.

• The project must be funded in part with state and city money and the boundaries of the municipal riverfront development project must be designated by ordinance or resolution by the legislative body of the city in which the project is located. - Jason Miller

And the comments, the first of which I believe is from our own Mox1981

rticle comment by: Mox

Riverfront District Envisioned
I like this proactive approach. MC has great resources, and we need leaders who will work together for the future of the area. What a great opportunity!

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Article comment by: Marty

Riverfront District Envisioned
Great idea! It will be wonderful for current business owners.

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Article comment by: greg jolivette

Riverfront District Envisioned
as a county commissioner in ohio, i know that night time attractions equals more economic development rewards. personally, my family is considering vacationing up the beach where there is more variety of attractions. we hope you pass it because we love michigan city. good luck.

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Article comment by: Patrick E Hogan

Riverfront District Envisioned
great idea to drive development and bring exciting night life to Michigan City

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Article comment by: Patrick E Hogan

Riverfront District Envisioned
great idea. this is an area ripe for development and this type of development would drive growth to Michigan City.

Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Article comment by: Brian Hogan

Riverfront District Envisioned
Brilliant idea...The Trail Creek corridor holds amazing potential to enhance the entertainment offerings for Michigan City residents, as well as expanded revenue streams from tourism. The visions of developed riverfront can showcase the natural beauty of our lakefront. It would be shameful for our community leaders to turn their backs on this opportunity.