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part one

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20.../28/news/n3.txt

North End development: Is there a vision?

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the city's North End.

Michigan City is a vibrant community with unbounded potential and a nagging inferiority complex. While visitors to our city frequently praise its geography and its attractions, some in our community are prone to take these assets for granted and to criticize almost everything else openly and often.

A number of people share the perception that Michigan City is going nowhere. A common focal point for some local detractors is the lack of growth and vitality in the city's North End. It is common to hear complaints and read articles in the Anvil Chorus that there is no vision for the North End, that the city has no plan.

As the leading business organization, the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce has an obligation to the community to reveal the truth about Michigan City from an economic development and quality of life perspective.

It is time for our community to stop assigning blame. It is time for our community to stop its focus on being “opposed” and to spend effort and energies on favorable proposals that further the good for us all. North End development is critical now because well-planned, ecological and culturally sensitive development could be the key driver of economic vitality for the entire community. North End development needs a broad base of support to be successful. It requires leadership and facilitation.

Toward this end the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce has formed a new group ... the Michigan City North End Advocacy Team (MCNEAT).

MCNEAT is an organization whose purpose is to provide accurate information to the community, stakeholders and interested parties concerning the various plans and studies that have been produced regarding North End development. Its goal is to initiate and facilitate a public dialogue so that community-wide consensus can be achieved.

The three major objectives are:

1. To support initiatives that improve Lake Michigan and Trail Creek facilities to provide for greater access and enjoyment by the public.

2. To support initiatives that improve Michigan City's downtown to create a vibrant, thriving retail center.

3. To maintain a balance between preservation and development that provides for sustainable growth.

We hope to initiate a process that will launch significant, concrete, action toward transforming the North End into “a dynamic cultural and civic center, with a thriving retail corridor surrounded by friendly, historic neighborhoods with easy access to Lake Michigan, Trail Creek, and Washington Park.”

This vision summarizes MCNEAT's considerable research on the North End. It is a vision not described in a single document but revealed through careful analysis of a handful of important documents including the R-46/Beachway study in 1970, the Wurster, Bernardi, Emmons study in 1980, and the Andersen Camiros study in 2001. The combined vision for the North End is drawn from the creative energies of planners and consultants before us and it lays a great foundation for our future success.

MCNEAT has identified six zones of opportunity in the city's North End. It is our plan to communicate this vision through a series of articles in The News-Dispatch.

We urge you read each article and learn more about the development opportunities allowable as well as some of the constraints and challenges. We hope that this series of articles informs you, inspires you, and empowers you to think about North End development in a new way. We hope to build consensus for an informed, enlightened community that will actively support development plans consistent with the vision that will be revealed for each zone in the coming days.

MCNEAT will be hosting a meeting for the entire community after the articles conclude. You are invited to forward your comments and ideas directly to us via e-mail anytime at: tbietry@mcachamber.com.

Monday: What previous studies called for, what has been accomplished, and issues that remain to be settled

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Part Two

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../29/news/n5.txt

North End development: Rediscovering the past

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on Michigan City's North End.

Over the past 40 years there have been several high profile studies of Michigan City's North End. Most notable are the R-46/Beachway plan of 1970, the Wurster, Bernardi, Emmons study of 1980, and the Andersen Camiros study of 2001. Many people have the impression that the studies were creating new visions for the North End.

The reality is that these studies were well-executed interpretations of what could be done within the existing vision of the North End, “a dynamic cultural and civic center, with a thriving retail corridor surrounded by friendly, historic neighborhoods with easy access to Lake Michigan, Trail Creek, and Washington Park.”

In particular, Wurster, Bernardi, Emmons and Andersen Camiros are well packaged bold plans that are consistent with this vision. These two studies took what was acceptable within the visions for Beachway, Trail Creek, Elston Grove, Franklin Street, Washington Street, and Washington Park, developed their own proposals for each area, and then packaged the recommendations into a plan for the North End.

Slow execution of these plans is indicative of disagreement with specific elements with the plan. It does not indicate that a vision for the North End does not exist. To help the community understand the vision, it is helpful to more thoroughly study these three source documents:

R-46/Beachway, 1970

This document addresses the transitional area between Franklin Street and Washington Park where development must be compatible with existing structures and maximize the economic strength of the central area of the city's North End.

Key elements from the original document:

€ Maximum advantage of views and vistas to and from the area.

€ Gateways utilizing elevations to create “focal points” of entrance.

€ A major retail anchor with ties to Franklin Street.

€ Unified civic-cultural center.

€ Residential development.

€ Closure of Franklin Street between Second and Fourth streets.

€ Joining of one-way Washington and Pine Streets to the north to make a loop.

€ Major greenway linkage between civic center and Washington Park.

€ Redevelopment controls.

€ Significant property acquisition.

Current Status: The plan is substantially complete; however, with the demolition of Memorial Hospital and the subsequent donation of those 3.5 acres to the city from St. Anthony Memorial, new opportunities were created. R-46 covenants are still in force relative to building height, use, facades and landscaping. Consistent with the plan, a major portion of the R-46 Zone is dedicated to being the city's civic and cultural center as seen in the buildings below:

€ City Hall.

€ Post Office.

€ Lubeznik Art Center.

€ Ragtops Museum.

€ Congress Park.

€ Marina Park Condominiums.

€ Cadence Park.

€ Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (Ruby Building).

€ Department of Natural Resources.

Issues in regard to the future of some elements in the R-46-Beachway Zone:

€ At some point the draw bridge over Trail Creek will have to be rebuilt.

€ Should Franklin Street be re-opened to Lake Michigan?

€ Should Washington and Pine be one way or two way?

€ Is the plan still relevant?

€ There is a failure to maintain landscaping consistent with the plan.

€ The 3.5-acre Memorial Hospital site needs to be developed consistent with the R-46/Beachway plan and overall vision. It should be residential, public, or not-for-profit.

Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons, 1980

This is a bold plan commissioned by the city. It focused on redevelopment of the Trail Creek Corridor with emphasis on Washington Park and the Trail Creek canal/marina area.

Key elements from the original plan:

€ Winter activities such as skiing, cross country skiing, tobogganing in Washington Park.

€ Reconfiguration of traffic flow including a new bridge for U.S. 12.

€ Realignment of Lake Shore Drive around Washington Park.

€ Doubling the number of boat slips in the Washington Park Marina by creating a marina east of the lighthouse catwalk.

€ New or relocated Yacht Club.

€ Creation of a fishing village adjacent to the marina offices.

€ A riverwalk from Washington Park to Hansen Park with walking trails to Krueger Park and Friendship Gardens.

€ Sheridan Beach redevelopment to include a possible inn, residential buildings, and a restaurant.

€ National Lakeshore Transit and Info Center with tram service to downtown.

€ Blocksom Island project including a canal down Michigan Boulevard from Fourth street to Seventh Street with shops, offices, and restaurants.

Current Status:

€ New U.S. 12 bridge built.

€ E-street bridge rebuilt.

€ Sheridan Beach condos and high-rise built.

€ Blue Chip Casino and Hotel built.

€ Lake Shore Drive realigned and improved.

€ Residential condos built east of Franklin Street on the south side of Trail Creek.

€ Pioneer Lumber relocation in progress; Trail Creek property to be re-developed.

€ Bridges Inn and Restaurant built.

Issues:

€ South Shore rail realignment study will be completed soon.

€ Single point access to Washington Park and the marina.

€ Current swing bridge structure limits boating traffic.

€ Traffic circulation issues.

€ NIPSCO tower, sewage treatment plant, and industrial presence in this area can be deterrents to development.

€ Significant obstacles exist in acquiring key development properties along the Trail Creek Corridor and create an obstacle to further development consistent with the plan.

Andersen & Camiros, 2001

This is a relatively recent plan commissioned by the city that addresses a broader geographical footprint than Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons.

Key Elements:

It envisions the North End as a center of civic life with a distinct pleasing visual character. It addresses a number of the zones and suggests a series of unique aesthetic developments, some with educational components, and an over-riding emphasis on the North End as a place to get away from the pressures of work.

Current Status:

Already completed:

€ Skate boarding facility.

€ Millennium Plaza.

In Progress:

€ Development of the Zorn Brewery property.

€ City acquisition of parcels on Trail Creek including the Verma property and ice house.

€ Improvements on Franklin Street.

€ Preservation/restoration efforts in Elston Grove.

€ Infrastructure improvements in Elston Grove.

Issues:

€ Significant legal and environmental hurdles exist with the city obtaining ownership to key parcels.

€ This plan was never fully supported by the community.

€ There is slow renovation of homes in Elston Grove.

€ South Shore renovation vs. relocation issues are unresolved.
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Tuesday, a look at the first of six zones of opportunity in the North End. Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged, please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.
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Strengths & weaknesses

The following strengths and weaknesses were drawn from the three plans review by the Chamber's Michigan City North End Advocacy Team (MCNEAT):

Overall North End Strengths

1. Our city's North End is a major destination and attracts more than 4 million visitors annually.

2. The “Triangle” (Michigan City's lakefront, Lighthouse Premium Outlets and Blue Chip Casino) accounted for $379 million dollars in tourism dollar expenditures in 2001, according to the Certec Report for that year.

3. The area boasts several historic buildings and major attractions.

4. There is substantial existing infrastructure that can support new investment.

5. A new trail system is under development that will connect Washington Park to Porter County, Hansen Park, and Friendship Gardens. It will eventually be 27 miles in length.

North End weaknesses

1. The North End does not have a direct connection from the waterfront to “downtown.”

2. Pedestrian corridors need better definition.

3. Industrial land use exists along the waterfront.

4. There are large privately owned vacant and underutilized parcels.

5. Some level of environmental remediation is needed in certain areas.

6. There has been limited investment and reinvestment in the North End.

7. The market for the North End needs to be more clearly defined to encourage investment.

8. A major development catalyst is needed.

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Part Three

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../30/news/n4.txt

North End plan dates back to Beachway project

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of articles prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the city's North End.

The name “Beachway” was given to the R-46 urban renewal zone in 1970 when the document was drafted and adopted. This zone is at the heart of the North End. It is the only one of the six zones that touches all of the other five. The objective when this area was addressed was to revitalize the area between Washington Park and Franklin Square to remove industrial use and severe blight.

VISION FOR R-46: The vision/plan for R-46 was to create the city's civic and cultural center including residential and commercial development.

Progress to date (since 1970)

€ 80 acres have been bought, cleared, and sold. Only 41 acres were initially identified in R-46.

Substantial progress has been made in this area including: A new city hall, Commerce Square, Lubeznik Art Center, Marina Park, Congress Park, Cadence Park, the Post Office, the DNR building.

€ Several properties have been refurbished including the old Post Office, Shoreline Brewery, and Rag Tops Auto Museum.

€ A new library was built instead of the major retail anchor called for in the original document.

Actions underway

€ The Memorial Hospital property was given back to the city for development.

€ There is a plan to develop the old Depot (now Swingbelly's Restaurant).

€ Pioneer Lumber's relocation has opened up a great opportunity to develop this property.

Impediments to progress

€ There is no community consensus on the development of the Memorial Hospital site.

€ The DNR property could be better maintained or redeveloped.

€ Maintenance of landscape buffers called for in the R-46 document has been neglected.

€ The Franklin Street bridge needs upgrading (this is owned by LaPorte County).

Future development needs to continue to focus on supporting more investment in cultural projects or large civic projects that make strong connections to each of the other zones, especially Washington Park.

Tomorrow, a look at Trail Creek and the waterfront. Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com

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Part Four

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../31/news/n4.txt

The Trail Creek corridor, explained

This is the fourth in a series of articles prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the city's North End.

For the purposes of our study, the Trail Creek Corridor is defined by Trail Creek south of the Amtrak railroad, north of Eighth Street, and east of Michigan Boulevard. It touches Beachway and the Elston Grove Zone.

History

From the mid-19th century until 1920, the mouth of Trail Creek was a busy port, vying with Chicago for commercial shipping. With the completion of the Franklin Street lift bridge in 1906 and the rapid development of recreational boating, the city began looking north of the bridge in its planning.

A city-wide plan in 1926 suggested opening up greenways along Trail Creek. The park plan envisioned a parkway beginning at Union Street and continuing through Memorial Park to Pottawattomie Country Club. Subsequent plans have called for parks, marinas, and further walkways.

Except for the approximately six acres once occupied by subsidized housing, the Trail Creek Corridor has been lined with light industry. Private retail and lodging development on the Pioneer Lumber site, the expansive Sprague and B&E Marinas, along with Blue Chip Casino have started to change the character of the corridor from industrial/private to recreational/public use.

Vision for the Trail Creek Corridor

The vision for this zone is one of some commercial/specialty retail with marina-specific development and residential opportunities as well as green space.

The Andersen-Camiros study included some exciting possibilities consistent with this vision:

€ A marina district that would create additional boat slips along the Corridor.

€ Public access to the waterfront via a peninsula, walking trails, and picnic areas.

€ Retail shops with nautical themes in the present

Blocksom site.

€ Anchor stores, with a museum, and/or banquet hall.

€ Historic Zorn Brewery renovated and tied to the Corridor.

€ A nautical theme to facades and landscaping.

€ Gateway and entrance features consistent with a nautical theme.

Progress to date

Blue Chip Casino has had a major impact on this zone and the community. The new U.S. 12 bridge over Trail Creek, Hansen Park, Bridges Inn and Restaurant are consistent with the overall vision for this zone. Trail Creek Marina is also complementary and offers a starting point for further development. Acquisition of the Verma (former Hays) property is complete, and acquisition of the South Shore Freight and B&E lands could provide significant complementary development opportunities as well.

Actions under way Blocksom site.

€ Anchor stores, with a museum, and/or banquet hall.

€ Historic Zorn Brewery renovated and tied to the Corridor.

€ A nautical theme to facades and landscaping.

€ Gateway and entrance features consistent with a nautical theme.

Progress to date

Blue Chip Casino has had a major impact on this zone and the community. The new U.S. 12 bridge over Trail Creek, Hansen Park, Bridges Inn and Restaurant are consistent with the overall vision for this zone. Trail Creek Marina is also complementary and offers a starting point for further development. Acquisition of the Verma (former Hays) property is complete, and acquisition of the South Shore Freight and B&E lands could provide significant complementary development opportunities as well.

Actions under way

Two important studies are under way to support continued recreational use: One is a capacity analysis for boating along Trail Creek, and two is a sediment study that should provide answers on how to keep the creek navigable. Pioneer Lumber has been relocated and the City has acquired properties along 8th Street for more complementary development. Blue Chip Casino is expanding its development to include a 22 story tall complex; the tallest structure in northwest Indiana.

Impediments to progress

The city has tried to gain access to the Blocksom property to conduct a soil sample to determine the potential environmental costs of cleaning this property for future development. Blocksom officials have declined to allow this soil sample. This issue is currently being litigated. Successful redevelopment of this property from industrial to commercial/retail or even a green space is a major obstacle to achieving the vision for this area.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has held fast to the philosophy that any money spent by it on U.S. 12 or U.S. 35 (Michigan Boulevard) must be practical. They will appropriate no money for aesthetic or cosmetic improvements. As long as the state owns these thoroughfares, our goal should be to explore partnership with them to do all that we can to improve sidewalks and surrounding property.

The Amtrak Bridge over Trail Creek (the swing bridge) restricts water travel. This area would be better served if the boat launch facility were moved north of this bridge. There is also an ongoing problem in maintaining sufficient water depth in the Trail Creek Corridor.

Wednesday, a look at the Elston Grove Neighborhood. Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

Two important studies are under way to support continued recreational use: One is a capacity analysis for boating along Trail Creek, and two is a sediment study that should provide answers on how to keep the creek navigable. Pioneer Lumber has been relocated and the City has acquired properties along 8th Street for more complementary development. Blue Chip Casino is expanding its development to include a 22 story tall complex; the tallest structure in northwest Indiana.

Impediments to progress

The city has tried to gain access to the Blocksom property to conduct a soil sample to determine the potential environmental costs of cleaning this property for future development. Blocksom officials have declined to allow this soil sample. This issue is currently being litigated. Successful redevelopment of this property from industrial to commercial/retail or even a green space is a major obstacle to achieving the vision for this area.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has held fast to the philosophy that any money spent by it on U.S. 12 or U.S. 35 (Michigan Boulevard) must be practical. They will appropriate no money for aesthetic or cosmetic improvements. As long as the state owns these thoroughfares, our goal should be to explore partnership with them to do all that we can to improve sidewalks and surrounding property.

The Amtrak Bridge over Trail Creek (the swing bridge) restricts water travel. This area would be better served if the boat launch facility were moved north of this bridge. There is also an ongoing problem in maintaining sufficient water depth in the Trail Creek Corridor.

Wednesday, a look at the Elston Grove Neighborhood. Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

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The Fifth part

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../01/news/n4.txt

Elston Grove area rich in history, potential

This is the fifth article in a nine-part series by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the opportunity to reinvigorate Michigan City's North End.

History

The Elston Grove area is one of the earliest areas settled in Michigan City and was included in Issac C. Elston's original plat of the area. In the mid- to late-1800s, Michigan City was one of the 11 leading industrial towns in Indiana, and many commercial and warehousing facilities were located in the North End and extended east to Trail Creek.

In addition to these facilities, many homes of working-class residents (as well as the city's elite) appeared in what is now Elston Grove. In time, commercial establishments disappeared, and Elston Grove now is largely an area of older (circa late 1800s and early 1900s) homes. They represent a rich architectural heritage of Michigan City's past.

Elston Grove is bordered on the north by Fifth Street, on the east by Michigan Boulevard and on the south by 11th Street. The west side of Elston Grove basically is Spring Street south to Sixth Street, then west to Pine Street. It touches Beachway to the north, the Trail Creek Corridor to

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Rich Murphy, Elston Grove Neighborhood Association president, said, “I see the future of Elston Grove as a neighborhood with new life breathed into its historic Italianate and Victorian homes, where past neighborhood anchors can be redeveloped and enjoyed like they were for the first 100 years, where you can stroll down tree-lined boulevards and soak in the street life of our old downtown or, perhaps one day, our new marina, and where you can take a pedestrian-friendly path to Lake Michigan so that neighbors can feel like they live where they do, in walking distance of our beloved Indiana dunes and some of the best beaches in the Great Lakes.”

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Vision/Plan

The vision for this zone is to renovate/restore consistent with an attractive “authentic/historic” theme. Historic structures should be relocated from redevelopment sites to vacant lots, and single-family residences should be encouraged due to the absence of sufficient parking.

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Progress to date

There is a tax increment financing (TIF) district in place for this area as an incentive to develop. There is a strong neighborhood organization (Elston Grove Neighborhood Association) and active support and participation from the Preservationists of Michigan City. Boulevard Gardens has been restored. From 2004 to 2006, 90 homes have applied to the Historic Review Board for repairs, new roofs or complete restorations.

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Actions under way

Storm and sewer engineering studies are under way to improve infrastructure. There have been successful acquisition and demolition of properties between Fifth and Sixth streets. There has been substantial change in ownership resulting in upgrades and business investment. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for planning and engineering services to address streetscaping and lighting in this zone.
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Impediments to progress

There is a lack of off-street parking, and the infrastructure for this zone needs to be upgraded. There is slow renovation of homes that might be linked to inadequate funding for historical restoration. There is a general lack of complementary investment on perimeter streets.

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Tomorrow: The Franklin Street Historical District.

Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

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Part Six

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../02/news/n4.txt

Franklin Street has a long history

This is the sixth in a nine-part series prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the opportunity to reinvigorate the city's North End.


The North End's Franklin Street Zone is bordered on the north by Fourth Street, the east by Pine Street, the west by Washington Street, and the south by 11th Street. This zone is the heart of the downtown area and links to Elston Grove on the east, the Washington Street Historic District on the west, and the Beachway urban renewal area on the north.

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History

The earliest growth in Michigan City occurred along the harbor as warehouses were established adjacent to shipping and receiving areas. Soon other areas began to grow and manufacturing flourished in the early 1850s (Michigan Central Railroad Machine, Sherman & Haskell Co., later to become Haskell & Barker, then Pullman Standard).

This industrial growth accounts for the large number of working class houses in the North End of the city. Additional growth then moved south along Franklin Street. Franklin Street grew to be the central business hub of Michigan City until 1967 when Marquette Mall opened and the anchor businesses moved from Franklin Street to the mall.

Franklin Street was closed to two-way traffic and turned into a pedestrian mall around 1970. After being closed for approximately 20 years, Franklin Street has since been reopened to one-way traffic. This area still has not regained its vitality.

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Vision/Plan

This zone is a critical piece to improvement of the North End. Its vision/plan has many inter-related and complementary parts:

€ Develop a “main street” theme.

€ Renovate existing structures and return “updated” storefronts to their original appearance.

€ Fill in gaps - vacant lots utilized for street activities during the days.

€ Multi-family residential infill in some vacant spots.

€ Commercial/retail along Franklin Street at street level with residential units above.

€ Entertainment, specialized retail, and professional establishments.

€ Pocket parks where land is available.

€ Creation of an “arts district.”

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Progress to date

There has been considerable investment in the last 10 years. Significant investment is summarized below by block:

€ 400 Block - GIS Insurance, Michigan City Entrepreneur Center, Edward Jones, Ryan's, Northern Indiana Education Foundation (NIEF) buildings (old Jarosz Printing and Roma Tavern properties).

€ 500 Block - Maxine's Restaurant, Haas Engineering, Snyder Law, Lysaught & Salmon, Megan Horn Building, Beckman & Espar.

€ 600 Block - Unity Foundation, PUBCO, Morse & Co.

€ 700 Block - Renee's Bridal, Bridal Reflections, Prince Galleries.

€ 800 Block - Station 801, dh2w, Main Street Theatre and the Lubeznik Building.

€ 900 Block - Reprographic Arts

This area is also host to a highly successful Farmer's Market that operates from about March through October each year and the entire community enjoys coming downtown to many seasonal parades and festivals.

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Actions under way

A new 501©3 not-for-profit organization is forming to push economic development in this area. It will be named the Michigan City Historic Preservation and Education Foundation. It is hoped that this organization will be a conduit for property owners, developers, other organizations that are interested in accessing facade money, low interest loans, matching funds and other programs to improve this important historic district.

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Impediments to progress

There is an overall lack of connection to Washington and Pine Streets relative to the theme/entrance/landscaping. There is lack of a well-defined pedestrian corridor, a “yellow brick road” to Washington Park and Beachway. There has been a lack of financial commitments from existing organizations to market this area and promote investment opportunities and joint promotions.

The area has a significant number of properties controlled by absentee owners. In many instances, demolition by neglect is slowly adding to blight. There is lack of consistent property and façade maintenance.

Franklin Street remains a one-way thoroughfare and this downtown area is not on the National Register of Historical Places, which would support the attraction of other funding sources.

Tomorrow: Zone 7, the Washington Street Historic District.

Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

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Part Seven

Several businesses have located in the Washington Street District

This is the seventh in a nine-part series of articles prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the opportunity to reinvigorate the city's North End.

The Washington Street Historic District is bordered on the north by Fourth Street, the west by Wabash Street, the south by 11th Street, and the east by Washington Street. Barker Mansion is a focal point for the area.

It touches Franklin Street to the east, Beachway to the north, and lies directly east of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets.

History

This zone once included a major industrial firm (Pullman Standard) that built railroad freight cars and was at one time Indiana's largest employer with more than 3,000 employees. The zone also was made up of some of the working class homes for employees of early industry. It is now composed of mostly commercial and service industries with some residential. Barker Mansion is a major tourist destination in the community and was the former home of John H. Barker, president of Haskell & Barker Car Co., which later merged with Pullman Inc. to be known as Pullman-Standard.

Vision/Plan

This zone calls for distinct signage throughout to emphasize its identity. It is the home of unique shops in converted residential structures and requires beautiful pedestrian walkways with ties to Franklin Street, Elston Grove, Trail Creek and Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets.

Progress to date

This area has developed consistent with the above description as evidenced by several new commercial establishments and upgrades including Café Elite, Youth Service Bureau, Golden Leaf, Micky Gallas Properties, Ritz Club, Herrbach Law Offices, Tobacco Alley, Lakeshore Coffee, Banyan Tree, Lighthouse Restaurant, Café Common Grounds, Cigar Store, Lange's Meats, Lake Shore Café, Top Dog Restaurant, Maison des Fleurs, Cardiology Group, Attic Accents, McGinnis Pub, South Shore Square and bed and breakfasts.

Marquette High School has completed a significant investment in the community and the Kerrigan Mansion restoration has improved the area as well.

Actions under way

Continued investment and community support for this zone appear to be ongoing and significant infrastructure improvements (sewer and storm sewer separation) has occurred along 10th and 11th streets.

Impediments to progress

There is a noticeable lack of off-street parking. There is no landscaping theme and there is a lack of consistent property maintenance throughout the zone.

Tomorrow: The last of the zones, Washington Park. Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

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Part Eight

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../news/news4.txt

Park crucial to city's past and future

This is the eighth in a nine-part series prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the opportunity to reinvigorate the city's North End.

Washington Park is bordered on the north by Lake Michigan and east by Sheridan Beach. The Trail Creek Corridor borders this area on the south and west. It is the focal point for considerable attention recently in regard to development. It links to Beachway on the south and the Trail Creek Corridor along the creek's path.

History

From its outset, Michigan City was an industrial town with various mills established on the many sources of water power. Money was quickly appropriated to form a harbor at the mouth of Trail Creek in the area that is now Washington Park. This area housed extensive warehouses for grain, lumber, salt, furniture and dry goods. It was fertile ground for private investors and those with an entrepreneurial spirit.

In 1900, these warehousing facilities gave way to what is now Washington Park. From 1900 until the 1960s and 1970s, this area served the community with an amusement park, zoo and beach access for residents and tourists.

The old amusement park was dismantled by 1970, and the area has become more dominated by the marina, although it is still served by an impressive zoo and still offers beach access for all.

Property values have increased substantially in the last 10 years. The future development of this area is critical to North End success.

Vision/Plan

An extensive Washington Park Master Plan based on eco-friendly concepts recently was completed. Although that plan was completed without reference to the Wurster, Bernardi and Emmons Plan from 1980, it coincidentally includes many of the recommendations from that document. It is evident two plans, separated by 26 years, and completed independent of one another, nevertheless complement one another in terms of what would be best for this important piece of our geography.

It is clear. The vision is that this area should become a major attraction for not only boaters and bathers, but also become a major economic driver for the North End with commercial and retail establishments, including restaurants, nautical or marina-themed clothing stores and a potential site for year-around destinations, with winter-focused sporting venues and a possible indoor winter-water theme park.

Progress to date

Both the Washington Park Master Plan and Zoo Plan have been adopted. Millennium Plaza is an impressive focal point along the banks of Trail Creek. Several building projects have been completed, including rebuilding of the East Pier, street upgrades along Lake Shore Drive, Observation Tower restoration, public-restroom improvement, the Senior Center and restoration of the water plant (ongoing).

Many weekly and regional events occur in this zone and draw millions of visitors, including Summer Festival, Lakefront Arts Festival, Michigan City In-Water Boat Show, the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall, Labor Dayz, Festival of Lights and numerous concerts and zoo events.

Actions under way

A significant zoo upgrade is under way, including three new exhibits (North American carnivore, otter and bobcat exhibits). City water intakes are being replaced. Disposition of the Yacht Club is under way, as is ownership of the Naval Armory facility.

Impediments to progress

The Franklin Street Bridge has limited capacity and badly needs upgrading. It is owned by LaPorte County. The City Council has gone on record opposing public/private development partnerships in this zone. This significantly limits the availability of financing for projects. Without funding, the disposition of the Yacht Club and Armory facility are potential impediments to progress. There is need of a moderately priced family eatery in this zone. Parking capacity must be addressed for major events.

This article marks the last of the six Zones of Opportunity. Tomorrow will be the last article in the series. It will address “Next Steps,” where do we go from here? Your input to this effort is welcomed and encouraged. Please do so via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

[Southsider2k12]

Part Nine

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../05/news/n6.txt

Chamber to host forum Feb. 13

This is the last article in a nine-part series prepared by the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on the opportunity to invigorate the city's North End.



The Michigan City North End Advocacy Team (MCNEAT) and the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce extend our thanks to The News-Dispatch for agreeing to feature the series of articles on North End opportunities. We hope you found them interesting.

More importantly, we need your thoughts and feelings about this series, and we need your energy and enthusiasm to help move our community forward. To that end, we are hosting a community forum/workshop at the Michigan City Senior Center in Washington Park from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Please plan to attend and discuss with us the information shared over this week and a half. We intend to show a brief power-point presentation summarizing some of the highlights of the articles and then we will invite you to choose a zone to work on in a break-out session.

Once we can confirm the vision for each zone, we can work to identify successful strategies to eliminate impediments to progress in each zone. The rules for engagement in the workshop will be simple:

1. No hidden agenda.

2. Respect for other's ideas and perspectives.

3. Listen to learn from each other.

4. Present your point of view.

If we are successful, we should have at least three priority actions to be taken in the next two to four months in each zone. We can make a difference. It can start now!

Thanks again to The News-Dispatch and please confirm your attendance on Feb. 13 via e-mail to tbietry@mcachamber.com.

[Roger Kaputnik]

very interesting, especially to read through them together. I can see in some of the comments some reference to keeping the main park areas open and free. I hope that this is not just lip service. The worst idea is to give the land away to developers--and even letting
Fedorcheck (sp?) into the discussion is a bad idea. Look at how he ruined the drive along Pine Lake in LP; no amount of money can make up for taking this away forever. We cannot allow this to happen here.

Maybe I will see you at the meeting.

[Ang]

Roger and I have had a pretty interesting "conversation" at the ND Feedback concerning this issue. I encourage others to go there and see what we've talked about.

[Southsider2k12]

That is a very good conversation, Dee included.

My thoughts are that we do need to stay "green-friendly" and definately favor something with public usage factored in. Some of the gems of Michigan City are the things which are public domain. Mount Baldy, Washington Park, The zoo, Fedder's Alley etc, are great examples of things that could be used as models for the north end. Personally I think some sort of a river walk would be a very cool idea, and would feed into the rest of our park system really well. If we did do something intelligent there, development would definately follow, as business always follows people, and not the other way around.

[lovethiscity]

Did anyone see this following the 9 day series? It was in the Anvil Chourus.

The nine day series on north end development was very intriguing. What was most intriguing is that while the Chamber of Commerce appears to have assumed the role of City Planning. Who is doing the Chambers business? I figure the Planning departments time is completely consumed in legal matters. Trying to defend themselves on poor decision making. The Chamber has done a nice job showing us there is vision for Michigan City, but we suffer gravely when it comes to leadership. Take the R46 plan. This plan came so close to completion. Then somehow a library ended where the plan called for a major retailer. The result? Just stroll down Franklin Street.
Also look at the Anderson Camiros plan, a plan that met little resistance in the community. The plan called for park\community center on the former hospital site. Bob Schaefer was paid $35,000 to spearhead this portion of the plan. This plan was nixed ten days into the Oberlie administration. Oberlie with 30 plus years in Michigan City government including time as the city planner, had a better idea. Give the property to whom ever could come up with an idea, plans, financing, drawings and an impact study in about 90 days. Yes, the vision is there. The leadership is not.
Probably most intriguing of all is some of the things not mentioned in the nine day series. Little things like, what is the Michigan City Economic Development Corp. doing with the $350,000 a year of city money? Why do they even need it. After all the Park Board has had Michigan Citys economic development thrust upon them. With the completion of Light House Place, why has redevelopment of Franklin Square not happened as promised? With the development and even expansion of Blue Chip. Why has redevelopment of Franklin Square not happened as promised. This promise costing us between $15 and $30 million a year. By selecting the absolute worst agreement of suitability in the State of Indiana. The selection that was based on Frankilin Square developing on its own, being in the center of the golden triangle. Why has the Mayor of Michigan City not stepped in yet to claim his role as executive of Michigan City. I don't remember voting for Tim Bietry for Mayor.

[JHeath]

I saw that, and agree with the person who wrote it in many ways.

Seems like in our City, we are "study-happy", but never seem to use the information to move forward and actually do anything.

I think it's time for a change.

[Southsider2k12]

I definately agree with that statement about being "stuy-happy" here. The big thing we have lacked throughout all of this is leadership to sell an idea to the public. We have also lacked the leadership to unite the warring factions of this town for the betterment of the community as a whole.

It is really depressing when someone like Mitch Daniels calls LaPorte County anti-business, and even worse when it is hard to argue with him.