[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20.../news/news3.txt

Planned building will be downsized

By Deborah Sederberg, The News-Dispatch

Lakeside Station, the proposed retail and residential project near Washington Park, next will travel down the subdivision route, but developer Mike Connor remains committed to the effort.

In a report Monday to the Redevelopment Commission, Connor said he had to trim the size of one building “to accommodate setback requirements.”

The development is to be located between Matey's Restaurant and Galveston Steakhouse just south of the Franklin Street bridge.

“We will have both retail and residential units,” he said.

At this point, he plans for residential and office spaces and five retail spaces.

Connor originally planned for a much larger development that would have included the Galveston property, but failed to strike a deal for that plan.

Now, he intends to place his buildings along an old railroad easement between Galveston and Matey's on the east side of Franklin Street.

“Now, we will go to the Plan Commission,” Connor said. “We bought the property 2 1/2 years ago, but we've never gone through the subdivision process.”

Also Monday, the commission awarded a contract for Franklin Square maintenance and landscape to Oposo Landscaping, Michigan City. The city will pay $10,000 for maintenance and $25 per hour per man for additional landscaping.

In his proposal, Tom Philips of Oposo promised to use only Michigan City residents on the project.

[Roger Kaputnik]

I don't look for anything good ever to come from Mike Conner--

[JHeath]

I say let's give the guy a chance. I'm not sure what happened btwn you & Conner, Roger, but let's see what he can do. He's willing to put some money into our City in an effort to make things better.

[Southsider2k12]

Its also the same attitude that has the governor of Indiana telling the world that we are unfriendly to business.

[Roger Kaputnik]

He is, in my experience, all schmooz and talk, few results.

[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=48764.49

Lakeside Station Project Approved
New residential, retail development is planned near the Franklin Street Bridge

Amanda Haverstick
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY-The city has given the go-ahead for a retail and residential development near the Franklin Street Bridge.

On Monday, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission granted developer Mike Conner final approval for phase one of Lakeside Station.

The $600,000 development, which includes three buildings, will be located between Galveston Steakhouse and Matey's Restaurant on the east side of Franklin Street - a tight spot over an old railroad easement.

"We're only going to build one building at a time," Conner said. "We should be ready for spring of next year."

Conner said the Michigan City Plan Commission on July 24 granted the project approval for a minor subdivision. The final plan, he said, included a reduction in the size of the third building to conform with site setbacks.

"Our original plan was three almost identical buildings," Conner said.

The third building will now be about 900 square feet. The other two units will be about 1,600 square feet. The entire lot, Conner said, is 20,000 square feet.

Conner also said the change reduced the number of units from 12 to 10.

The first floor units will be retail or office space while the second floor units will be residential spaces.

The units will be about 450 square feet and have a kitchenette and bathroom.

"(They are) an open loft-area concept that could easily be converted to an office," Conner said, adding he sees the development as long-term leasing.

"It could be year-round tenants or it could be seasonal tenants."

Conner told the commission the owners of Matey's had concerns that residents living in the second floor would complain about noise.

"We're probably 14 feet away from their deck at this point," Conner said.

"Our belief is the demand for the second floor will be residential," he added.

Conner said they also will disclose Matey's hours in the lease.

"We believe there's going to be a significant amount of noise there," Conner said.

"I believe our tenants will clearly understand that issue. It's ten weekends out of the year."

[Max Main]

that conner is an idiot, I can't stand him. maybe he will make some money and won't be alble to hide it so he can pay his child support