[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...5a331895a8.html

MICHIGAN CITY | With J.C. Penney about to close and much of the inside empty, the future of the long-struggling Marquette Mall, which also is up for sale, has never been more uncertain.

Officials in Michigan City, though, are taking steps aimed at helping with whatever might become of the site.

The city's redevelopment commission wants to include the 36-acre mall property in a tax increment financing district to generate money that would help with any future improvements or redevelopment of the site.

"It's in the process," said Don Babcock, a member of the city's redevelopment commission.

Currently, the TIF district includes Dunes Plaza and would be extended across U.S. 20 to include the mall, the seven-story mall tower and the 3,000 parking spaces on the property.

The TIF district has already helped with the redevelopment of Dunes Plaza, the once half-empty strip mall where demolition and new construction last year brought in major retailers like Kohl's and Pet Smart.

Mayor Ron Meer said past offers by the city to help the mall owners have been rejected, but whoever has ownership in the future would have the benefits of a TIF district at their disposal.

"We would be poised to work with them," said Meer.

The boundaries for the TIF are expected to be redrawn and voted on sometime this year, officials said.