[lovethiscity]

Good call Dave on NIPSCO.

I also don't see the need to increase the cost of this project by a factor of 4-5 times. In this era of recession, it also isn't realistic.

I hope they do not considor todays economic times in a decision. No matter which route they take, it will be 8 - 10 years before ground will be broken. I would hope the economy will not still be in a recession.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=42883.01

Houses in jeopardy?
This is the first of two stories on houses that could be demolished if the proposed South Shore relocation occurs.

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Preliminary South Shore relocation plans, released in June, call for removing a two-mile swath of houses on the south side of 11th Street as part of a track realignment.

Meanwhile, people like Linda and Gene Rodriguez have been working hard to renovate some properties on 11th Street that could be slated for demolition.

The couple was surprised to find out about the South Shore plan. They had completely renovated a duplex at the corner of 11th and Spring streets, and now live in the upper level. Since then, they have purchased a dilapidated 100-year-old brick house on the opposite corner.

"It broke my heart," Linda said about the South Shore plan. "We've been working ourselves to death on these houses."

She and her husband are investing time and money into the renovations, but Linda said she believes they will recoup their investment.

"We're going to be OK no matter what if we get fair market value," she said.

Still, she's not happy with how some changes could impact the neighborhood. While walking across 11th Street from one of their houses to the other, Linda said, "Can you imagine seeing fences? It's not going to be a neighborhood." Both sides of a new South Shore track would be fenced, according to plans of the public agency that operates the commuter train, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.

As for her neighbors, Linda said, "There seems to be a general consensus that they (government) are going to do what they want. They don't think there is anything they can do."

The Rodriguezes moved here two years ago after retiring to be close to their grandchildren. They fell in love with Michigan City.

"We like the fact that we are close to transportation, the beach, restaurants and the marina," Gene said.

Wanting to diversify their investment portfolio, they decided to purchase and renovate rundown properties, converting them into decent rentals. As retirees, they have the time and energy to do much of the work themselves.

"We like improving neighborhoods," Gene said. "The more you do this, you don't get so scared."

The duplex they refurbished had been used by crack addicts and dog fighting rings.

"The yard was a garbage dump," Linda said. "There were dirty diapers, beer cans, crack pipes and spoons. The neighbors told us stories that broke our hearts."

When the Rodriguezes tackled the first property improvement project, they felt the energy change in the neighborhood. The homeowner next door repainted their house. Linda talks about the Elston Middle School student who walked by their house on her way home and did a double take after noticing the transformation.

"These are good, stable, long-term neighbors," Linda said. "This is a pretty mobile neighborhood. People like to take walks and wave at their neighbors."

The Rodriguezes moved into the upper part of their duplex last October, and rented the lower part. Linda pointed to a window where she would look across the street at the house the couple is currently working on.

"I looked at this house and it looked like it had been cared for but nothing was going on," she said. "The potential was amazing. We walked over to check it out and saw vandals had stolen some of the siding."

Gene called vacant, rundown properties "magnets for crime."

"Vagrants were coming in and out of here," Gene said. "We got into one closet and found a pillow and comforter."

They also found raccoons and their babies, cats and fleas.

"We're doing a complete renovation," Gene said, listing new drywall, ceiling repairs, new plumbing, electrical work, a new roof and foundation as some of the things to be addressed.

The couple figures they have time to complete the work and rent out the house before having to worry about the South Shore.

"If they say it's going to happen in two to five years, our experience with the federal government is it will take longer than that," Linda said.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=25371

If South Shore plans proceed, then city resident wants certain homes preserved

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Arlene Dabbert Tarasick is ready to battle anyone - including the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District - whose plans threaten to destroy historically significant homes in Michigan City.

Tarasick, a preservationist and lifelong city resident, is arming herself with archival information to safeguard certain houses in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Washington Street south of 11th Street in an area that could potentially be cleared to build a new train station for a relocated South Shore commuter rail line.

Tarasick is doing historical research that will document and, she hopes, protect properties that did not fall within the Washington Street Historic District for political reasons, she said.

"The most important houses were north of 11th Street," Tarasick said. "There has always been a kind of dividing line (there)."

But she thinks houses south of the South Shore tracks are worth saving, too.

The first wave of redevelopment in Michigan City wiped out a number of important houses, she said.

"No one in the town was thinking restoration," Tarasick said. "If you said 'restoration' in 1964, people would have said, 'What?'"

Tarasick feels that, as a lifelong Michigan City resident, she is in a good position to understand the important connections here and help document history. She helped establish the Historic Review Board and has been active in the Michigan City Historical Society.

Tarasick isn't against NICTD's plans to revamp the South Shore route, saying she understands it's the most practical, affordable option. But she threatens to "tie myself to a post" if certain houses are targeted for destruction.

She cites Dr. Alexander Mullen's home at 1215 Washington St. as an example of a historical home located outside the historic district.

"He (Mullen) opened a hospital north of 11th Street and established medical offices in his house," Tarasick said. "It shouldn't be destroyed because it's important to the history of this town."

T.C. Mullen, the doctor's son, was a prominent person in the community who played a significant role in developing Washington Park, according to Tarasick. The former Mullen Elementary School, where Tarasick served as principal, was named for T.C. Mullen, she said.

"The South Shore people know none of this," Tarasick said. "They should inquire before they willy-nilly send a bulldozer."

The house at 1203 Washington St. was built by the Ginther family and three generations lived there. They were laborers who started a meat market on Willard Avenue, Tarasick said, and the house is socially significant, even though it wasn't occupied by a wealthy family.

"Not just rich people's houses are important," she said. "The importance of a house is determined by what they (owners) meant to the community."

Three historic homes in the 1300 block of Washington Street are important as well, she said. Although NICTD's initial plans don't threaten that block, Tarasick is concerned that plans could change.

"I just don't want them to overkill," she said.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[mcstumper]

I hope they do not considor todays economic times in a decision. No matter which route they take, it will be 8 - 10 years before ground will be broken. I would hope the economy will not still be in a recession.

8 to 10 years it about the length of the average economic cycle. Think about that the Bush I recession started just before the 1992 election, the Clinton recession was just before the 2000 election and the Bush II recession was just before the 2008 election. We should just be nicely in the middle of the next one.

[Southsider2k12]

Dave and company, it seems that the north end group didn't get the memo about the quarter billion dollars or so it would take to fix this particular bridge (if I am understanding everyone correctly)

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=25426

High-speed trains may face obstacle here
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Monday that she has requested more than $800 million in stimulus money for her state's portion of the high speed rail corridor between Detroit and Chicago. Michigan's goal is to support 110 mph trains and reduce the time from Detroit to Chicago to four hours from the present six hours.

Aren't they going to be surprised when they reach the Trail Creek swing bridge and need to either slow down or stop and wait for it to be rotated or repaired. The New North End Group has been asking our city leadership and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to please investigate a new elevated bridge over Trail Creek that would service both Amtrak and NICTD. This in concert with an elevated station in the area of Swingbelly's would put rail commuters from both Amtrak and NICTD within easy walking distance of our soon to be developed Trail Creek Corridor containing 986 new residences and 55,000 square feet of retail space envisioned by Mayor Oberlie in his 2008 State of the City Address.

In the mayor's 2009 State of the City address he referred to our city's four decades of negative growth since the 1970 census (when we had 39,000 people). Can you imagine the shot in the arm our city would experience by having people working in Chicago and living in Michigan City? This station would also put people within easy walking distance of the beach, marina, outlet mall, casino, zoo and museums.

This would also eliminate the miles of fences through the 11th street corridor recommended by NICTD which are bound to divide our city's neighborhoods. Let's hope our city's leadership sees the stimulus package for high speed rail announced by President Obama as an opportunity to move our wonderful city forward.

Our city leaders have done a wonderful job getting consultants to work with our citizens to develop the vision for our North End. It's been very difficult obtaining the properties needed for this development and they've nearly completed this task. Now it's time to get NICTD and Amtrak at the same table to see what needs to be done to meet the high speed rail requirements in a way that will enhance our city's North End Development.

If anyone wants to know more about our group's North End vision call me at 879-7997.

Leigh Coburn

Michigan City

[Dave]

One of the questions I'd have for the North Enders would be, even if Amtrak decides to build a high level bridge, how much additional cost would be entailed in "piggybacking" additional rail lines on the bridge for NICTD?

I have to think that if Amtrak is running trains at 110 mph, the last thing they're going to want is going to be doing is sharing those tracks with local commuter rail lines.

As for the miles of fences and other objections to the 11th street plan, once again, the proposed plan is just their first proposal, their "Xmas list." NICTD will settle for a lot less, as long as they can get their rails out of the asphalt.

This post has been edited by Dave: Aug 27 2009, 06:39 PM

[Dave]

This could be relevant...

http://nwitimes.com/news/local/article_d1c...b7a3f86c9c.html

Indiana wants $71.4 million in stimulus for NWI high-speed rail

Illinois asks for $550 million

* Story
* Discussion

Keith Benman - keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326 | Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:00 am | (15) Comments

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Indiana met a Monday deadline to apply for federal stimulus funds for a Northwest Indiana project that would be a key link in a proposed Chicago-to-Detroit high-speed rail line.

The Indiana Department of Transportation applied for $71.4 million to expand the capacity of Norfolk Southern Corp. tracks running from the Illinois line to the town of Porter, said INDOT spokeswoman Shelley Haney.

The added capacity would be vital to any high-speed rail line coming out of Chicago headed to Michigan or Ohio. Amtrak trains from Detroit often are forced to wait while freight traffic clears those tracks.

The project also may have direct benefits for the region, with an earlier study by the Indiana High Speed Rail Association finding the region could realize up to $1.17 billion in economic benefit from such a line. That benefit is based on previous plans for a high-speed rail station at or near Gary/Chicago International Airport.

States had until Monday to apply for $8 billion in federal funds dedicated to high-speed rail projects, with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm announcing her state applied for $833 million.

Illinois also hit the deadline for first round funding, applying for $550 million in stimulus bucks for three high-speed rail routes: Chicago to St. Louis, Chicago to Milwaukee and Chicago to Detroit.

"They are working very hard to bring high-speed rail to Illinois," said Paris Ervin, an Illinois Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

The states basically are planning to upgrade and expand existing Amtrak routes so trains can run at consistent speeds of 110 mph, which would cut the trip from Chicago to Detroit to four hours, from its current six hours.

Some states also have long-range plans to build truly high-speed, European-style systems through which trains could run at speeds up to 220 mph.

Indiana put off applying for stimulus funds for its portion of a proposed Chicago-to-Cleveland high-speed rail line and for another running from Chicago to Cincinnati, Haney said. That's because the two projects would not have qualified for 100 percent stimulus funding.

INDOT now hopes to seek the money in a second application round in October, when it believes they would qualify for funding at the 100 percent level.

On July 27, eight Midwest governors and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley signed a pact dedicating them to the development of eight high-speed rail corridors. The announcement followed the inclusion of $8 billion in funding for high-speed rail in President Barack Obama's stimulus bill, which Congress passed in February.

Adding capacity to the Norfolk Southern Corp. tracks running from the Illinois line to the town of Porter is vital to any high speed rail line coming out of Chicago headed to Michigan or Ohio. Amtrak trains from Detroit often are forced to wait while freight traffic clears those tracks.

The project may also have direct benefits for the region, with an earlier study by the Indiana High Speed Rail Association finding the region could realize up to $1.17 billion in economic benefit.

Posted in Local on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:00 am Updated: 5:55 pm. | Tags: Transportation,

[mcstumper]

This could be relevant...

High speed rail. What a boondoggle.
If I needed to get to Detroit so fast and I wasn't allowed to drive, I would take the South Shore to the South Bend airport and catch a flight on one of them new fangled high speed aeroplanes.

So really... no one here thinks its lunacy to spend billions of dollars to build a high speed rail line to DETROIT!?!?! Why stop there. Lets get an early start for that much needed extension to Flint.

Oh, and Leigh, do you think the high speed choo-choo could do 220mph around the curve in the track that is just south of NIPSO plant. I think not. It would be creeping around it at 35mph, so who cares if it has to slow down to 25mph to go over the floating bridge.

[joe.black]

One of the questions I'd have for the North Enders would be, even if Amtrak decides to build a high level bridge, how much additional cost would be entailed in "piggybacking" additional rail lines on the bridge for NICTD?

I have to think that if Amtrak is running trains at 110 mph, the last thing they're going to want is going to be doing is sharing those tracks with local commuter rail lines.

As for the miles of fences and other objections to the 11th street plan, once again, the proposed plan is just their first proposal, their "Xmas list." NICTD will settle for a lot less, as long as they can get their rails out of the asphalt.

Dave, you're spot-on with the high speed rail observation. It is extremely difficult to operate high speed rail service in mixed traffic (i.e. with other classes of train - normal Amtrak, South Shore passenger, CSS&SB freight trains, etc.). High speed trains, for obvious reasons, require a longer distance to stop than lower speed trains. For that reason, they cast a longer "stopping distance shadow" in front of themselves that cannot be encroached upon by another train if you expect to be able to sustain high speeds. If you start to fill up the empty space in front of a high speed train with commuter or other lower speed traffic, the train control/signal system will enforce a decreased speed for the hot shot train, in order to ensure that it has adequate safe braking distance in front of it. So, the upshot is that you cannot schedule a lower speed train ahead of a hot shot for some defined time period at least equal to the time it would take the high speed train to catch up to a lower speed train (and usually longer than that, because the lower speed trains are normally locals, stopping at every station). That severely constrains an operations planner's ability to write a schedule that's convenient for the local service's passengers and provides enough trains to handle demand. It practically requires you to "clear the decks" once an hour (or however frequent the high speed service would operate) so the hot shot can operate unimpeded.

Secondly, operation of high speed trains in mixed traffic environments leads to two less than optimal situations: "gapping" and "bunching". "Gapping" refers to the long time and space distance that develops behind a higher speed train in the lead and a following lower speed train. You lose the opportunity to use some of the capacity of the line because you wind up with long headway gaps between different classes of train; you can't simply insert a train in that developing gap, so you lose some of the utility of the line. "Bunching" refers to the groupings of trains you get when lower speed trains are operated ahead of higher speed ones. The high speed trains run up to the rear "signal wake" of the leading lower speed trains, get slowed down by the train control system, and as a result you get "bunches" of trains across the line (with high speed trains being reduced to the speed of the local trains when they bunch). The only way to ensure that these phenomena do not occur is to wholly separate high speed tracks from local tracks, so that you get trains with uniform performance characteristics operating together.

So, that means - high speed rail is no solution to the north enders' cost issues. You would still need an entirely separate NICTD track (or two) across the bridge. And I can't imagine that Amtrak or some high speed rail authority would build extra bridge decks for NICTD out of the goodness of their hearts.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=25596

South Shore relocation means big loss of taxes
The NICTD-South Shore relocation proposal would mean an estimated loss of $150,000 to $250,000 in property tax revenue per year to Michigan City, the schools, the county and other local units of government because of the taking of 150-plus pieces of property.

This is based on an investigation by one of our group [The It's (Y)our Government Group}, John VanderWagen, who found that the valuations for those properties is about $11 million, although some property like churches is exempt. Their present map indicates they would take all homes on the south side of 11th Street, several blocks between Franklin and Wabash streets south to at least Green Street for a station and parking, plus a building and houses from Chicago Street to Sheridan Avenue south of 10th Street.

The Michigan Township assessor, the county auditor's offices in Michigan City and Deputy County Assessor Judy Anderson have confirmed that neither the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District nor the Chicago, South Shore and Southbend Raaild (SouthShore Freight), a private company, pay property taxes to us.

Keilah Heffington, who for the last 10 years has been a utility specialist with the Indiana Department of Finance, has confirmed in e-mails that NICTD is not taxed since it is a public agency, but SouthShore Freight is assessed a yearly state tax, which is deposited into the Indiana Commuter Rail Fund under state law, and it is her understanding that those collected taxes re used for NICTD.

The assessed value of SouthShore Freight property is $4,588,700 and it was billed for $137,293.90 for 2008, with those taxes going into that commuter fund for NICTD.

The proposed north end route would require limited private property to be acquired, lowering the tax losses to our citizens, and it doesn't have all the other negative aspects of NICTD's plan, with fences, closing 17 plus streets and splitting our city off at 11th Street.

Lou Hapke

Michigan City

[CSchwanke]

I have been asked to comment on this by Dave. So here goes. I really do not have an opinion yet. I am sure there is a lot more to come out before anyone can make a firm decision. With what I have seen and that is not a bunch. I think that nobody is able to fight the federal government on this, who can fund that???Lets go back to the Saint Anthony expansion several years ago. They moved many homes in that area to empty lots in close proximity. Can that be done here? Can that be a stipulation? I think we are going to be forced to accept this, so we as a community need to embrace it and try our best to get the results we need. Can we put certain restrictions on NICTD? Lets think about something else. Look how many cars are parked at Dune Park in Porter County. All of those people have to stop for gas, get a doughnut, pick up a paper, get a morning beverage etc. they also do the same thing in the evening. Think about some added bussiness close to the new parking. There are lots of benefits and lots of negatives to this project. As a coumminty we need to figure out where we can benefit the most out of this. If we push to hard what then, expand Beverly Shores and the city is out again. I for one am tired of seeing everything happening in Porter County and nothing here in Michigan City aren't you!!

[ChickenCityRoller]

I highly doubt that Beverly Shores Station will ever be expanded.

[CSchwanke]

That was only meant as a figure of speach.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.emichigancity.com/pdf/Michigan-City-062509.pdf

This is the economic impact study for the South Shore proposal.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=26023

Chamber not taking stand now on South Shore

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is holding off on taking a stand on the South Shore relocation pending further information, Chamber President Tim Bietry said.

"The issue is on a lot of people's minds," Bietry said. "Right now, information is key."

Chamber members were asked to provide their Top Three concerns about Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's proposed South Shore relocation plan by last Wednesday. Only 18 responses were received, and Bietry attributes the low response to a general lack of understanding about the issues involved.

The top concern among those who weighed in was how changes will look.

"There's just an awful lot of concern about doing it in an aesthetically pleasing way," Bietry said, "so it just doesn't look ugly."

The second most common concern was whether the NICTD plan would cut the city in half, hindering cross-city access. A local group has been pushing for a northern route that would run parallel to the Amtrak line.

"I haven't talked to anyone who's 100 percent happy with either route, the north or 11th Street," Bietry said. "There's just so much out there that has to be looked at."

Bietry said while more is known about potential economic benefits, the costs need to be considered.

The Chamber board wants to see answers to questions posed at a public workshop attended by 150 local residents July 29. Stu Sirota of TND Planning Group facilitated the workshop and has been gathering information since then.

"After answers to some of those questions come back, I think the board will be more comfortable," Bietry said.

A draft of the Sirota report is being reviewed by the city and NICTD, according to City Councilman Rich Murphy, D-1st Ward. Murphy has played a key role in working with Sirota and other consultants on a study of economic impacts of three possible South Shore routes.

q

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Southsider2k12]

Speaking of bad editing... the NICDT? That's pretty bad.

http://www.post-trib.com/news/1791270,NICDT-926.article

NICDT encourages development along South Shore route
Comments

September 26, 2009
By Charles M. Bartholomew, Post-Tribune correspondent

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board on Friday narrowly approved a resolution, tabled for study in July, to encourage private development around its train stations and right of way.

Consultant Bill Sheldrake of Indianapolis-based Policy Analytics, said differences in the resubmitted resolution "to guide transit-oriented development along (NICTD's) commuter rail corridors" from the original were the result of input from the board members.

LaPorte County Councilman Mark Yagelski and Porter County Councilwoman Sylvia Graham had moved to table it in July after voting against its adoption. At that time, St. Joseph County Councilman Mark Catanzarite and Porter County Commissioner John Evans, who had been eager to move the resolution along, voted against tabling it.

This time, Catanzarite and Evans voted to adopt the resolution, while Yagelski, Graham, and the governor's appointee, Richard Vulpitta, voted no.

Even after NICTD General Manager Gerald Hanas named Michigan City as one community that could benefit from adoption of the guidelines, Yagelski said he had "a hard time" with the resolution, fearing that it would favor the urban areas served by the railroad in Lake County.

Hanas described the resolution as a "policy statement" to guide NICTD in seeking and undertaking projects in partnership with the private sector for office and residential development, retail, parking and other amenities that would benefit the South Shore and the communities it serves.

He has specifically mentioned the possibility of doing a feasibility study for a hotel in the Dune Park area

Among the development and financial criteria set forth in the resolution, NICTD:

n Is willing to make requests for grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration or other state and federal entities for suitable development projects.

n Will look only at development proposals that maintain a low carrying cost (debt service plus operating costs) in future years.

n Encourages developers to explore creative financing techniques including federal grants to reduce the capital costs of development and reduce the cost to the commuter.

n Will utilize best practices to minimize environmental impacts that may be associated with its rail and development projects.

The resolution also says "a high quality (transit-oriented development) project should catalyze further development, which clearly adds to the value of the station location."

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=26107

Consider alternate northern South Shore route
We've seen many comments about new South Shore routes recently. The 11th Street route is criticized as disrupting people's residences, dividing the city, street closures, safety, train traffic going at 60 mph, loss of historic properties and litter in the planned fences.

Some people also have been less supportive of one suggested northern route. Their difficulties are about the raised/elevated tracks, with additional concerns about safety, blocking the lake front views and substantial costs.

A recent economic impact study indicated an intermodal station on the North End would provide the greatest economic benefit to the city. An alternate northern route should be seriously studied because of the many benefits it offers.

This route travels south of Trail Creek, north of Eighth Street, between Michigan Boulevard and the creek, and passes under the U.S. 12 open bridge span. It has virtually none of the negatives of 11th Street or the earlier offered northern route.

This alternative northern route is simple in its concept, doesn't require large investments, gives essentially all the benefits of a northern route, and has but a few limitations. Yet it does require some to make a few compromises. Benefits include:

1. No elevated bridges or station to build/maintain. Route is basically at grade levels.

2. A very minimum of residences and businesses would be affected.

3. Interaction between NICTD [Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, parent of the South Shore commuter line] and Amtrak - no more that at present.

4. Very few street/road closures. Possibly as few as one or two.

5. Station serving all transportation modes.

6. Attract new residents to Michigan City.

7. This route opens the possibility of an intermodal station/parking that could be located on former Pioneer Lumber property.

8. Such a station would be within walking distance of 986 residences and 55,000 sq feet of retail space mentioned in the mayor's 2000 State of the City address.

9. With the Trail Creek Corridor being a greenfield site, integration with rail would be in concert with the Transportation Oriented Development (TOD) principles in the recent economic impact study.

10. This alternate northern route would provide visitors easy access to: buses, autos, shuttles, beach, marina, museums, casino, outlet mall, zoo, conventions, festivals and parks.

11. With the above proximities, an increase in South Shore passenger ridership is certainly suggested.

Yes there are some limited considerations that would need to be addressed. These would include some compromises - re-examination of Trail Creek Corridor plans, impact on some areas used by such a route, and that this route is somewhat longer than current middle of town street route. We should be able to work together to the overall benefit of Michigan City.

It would seem that whatever plan is chosen, benefits for Michigan City and its residents should always come first. Any such plans should be examined with considerable long-term thinking and with a minimum of disadvantages for residents, traffic, total costs, and safety concerns.

Robert J. Murray

Michigan City

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=26398

Committee wants test of street-crossing closings

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY ­- What would happen if the city closed 17 street crossings along 11th Street for a week?

Members of the North End Committee want to find out.

"These are the same streets that are to be permanently closed according to the current South Shore relocation proposal," group member Joe Condon said.

The North End Committee has argued in favor of rerouting the South Shore commuter line north to a route adjacent to the present Amtrak route. It opposes the realignment plan made by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. That plan would meet federally mandated safety standards by creating a new station with an elevated platform at 11th and Washington streets, and would close half of the current cross streets to through traffic at 11th Street.

Condon has asked the Board of Public Works and Safety to consider the closings as a test. He expects to get an answer at the board meeting at 9 a.m. Monday.

Condon proposed the temporary street closings as a way to give the public a taste of what could happen in the future.

"It was a matter of trying to get public awareness and some type of feedback from people," Condon said.

If the board agrees with closing the streets for one week, Condon said, the group will run an advertisement explaining the street closings and inviting them to a public meeting to voice their opinions.

If the proposal is rejected, Condon said, it would at least start a conversation about what the city departments need to consider in evaluating future plans.

q

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=26379

South Shore workshop

MICHIGAN CITY - Mayor Chuck Oberlie and 1st Ward City Councilman Richard Murphy announced Tuesday that a public forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in the City Hall Council Chambers.

On July 29 a public workshop was held to identify issues and questions regarding the proposed improvements. Stu Sirota will present the "Report on the Public Workshop Regarding the Proposed South Shore Line Improvements in Michigan City" that includes answers to the issues identified at that workshop, the mayor's office said.

Oberlie stated, "This report presents a summary of the initial public workshop on the proposed South Shore Line improvements."

The workshop was facilitated by Sirota, principal of TND Planning Group, a national consulting firm specializing in transportation and land use planning. Sirota has been working on transit-oriented development planning issues related to the potential relocation of the South Shore commuter rail line and station in Michigan City since 2007.

After the forum the report will be available on the city's web site at www.emichigancity.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=26413

Our Opinion:
The Issue:

Opponent of street closings calls for test.

Our Opinion:

City shouldn't dismiss request lightly.
Street closings
South Shore would close crossings

Editorial

A city resident wants the Michigan City Board of Works to close 17 streets that intersect 11th Street as a test. Joe Condon of the North End Committee said the city should close those streets so people can see what cross-town travel would be like if the South Shore tracks are relocated to the south edge of the pavement for the length of 11th Street.

It's a clever proposal, designed to generate interest in the issue - and opposition. But it's also an idea the board shouldn't dismiss lightly.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore commuter service, says it needs to relocate the tracks out of the middle of 11th and 10th streets and close half the streets in the city that now cross the South Shore.

Opponents say the street closings, along with a fenced-off South Shore corridor, would split the city in two, making travel for motorists and pedestrians more difficult, and it would be ugly, to boot.

While NICTD has been developing this plan for years and is committed to this alternative for a new route, opponents are urging city officials, who would be a partner in the relocation, to reject the 11th Street plan and consider something else, such as a northern corridor adjacent to the Amtrak line. A public forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the City Hall Council Chamber on the railroad relocation.

Relocating the South Shore is no simple matter. It would cost $65 million. It would take more than 150 residential and commercial properties from city tax rolls. The tax dollars they generate will be gone forever because NICTD does not pay property taxes as a public entity. And it would split neighborhoods, if not the city.

The Board of Works might not want to close the streets as a test. But if it isn't willing to do that, why would the city be willing to let them be closed permanently?