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[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39824.82

17 crossings may be eliminated
The NICTD preliminary concept for rerouting the South Shore through Michigan City eliminates 17 of the current 34 street crossings. The 17 intersections are marked on the preliminary concept for the South Shore relocation. While the crossing at Washington Street is not Xed out, that is the proposed location for a new train station. Based on the plan, the following crossings would be closed:

Carlon Court and adjacent alley, Donnelly Street and adjacent alley, Claire Street, Kentucky Street, Tennessee Street, Elston Street, Manhattan Street, Buffalo Street, Spring Street, Cedar Street, Lafayette Street, York Street, Oak Street, Maple Street and Phillips Avenue.
More South Shore details released

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Property owners with parcels south of current South Shore tracks on 10th and 11th streets await an uncertain future until plans for realigning the commuter train are adopted.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District operates the South Shore and announced last week it intends to significantly re-configure more than two miles of track running through Michigan City. NICTD's preliminary downtown rerouting concept, developed by TranSystems of Chicago, shows the tracks heading south of 10th Street at Sheridan Avenue and proceeding through town to a point just east of Michigan Boulevard, where the regular route resumes.

John Parsons, NICTD spokesperson, said properties north of 11th Street will not be affected. He said the specific houses and properties that would be impacted by the change have not yet been identified. He said the project, estimated at $65 million, has been developed at a "gross level of detail" and changes could be made as the engineering process moves forward.

A map labeled "Preliminary Downtown Reroute Concept" shows a South Shore station and 775-space parking area between Franklin and Wabash streets and from Warren Street north to 11th Street. The map includes station information that lists the current 11th Street parking lot at 42 spaces and the Carroll Avenue station at 155 spaces. Those stations would be replaced with the new downtown station.

The new route is designed to eliminate the curve between 10th and 11th streets near the Amtrak intersection, and also remove the curve at Cedar and Lafayette streets. As now indicated on the map, the tracks run parallel but one row of houses south of the existing 11th street tracks between Kentucky Street and Michigan Boulevard.

At Sheridan Avenue, looking east, the proposed route angles to the right, eventually running well behind the houses on the south side of 10th Street and linking directly with the portion of track that would be just south of 11th Street.

Chicago Street would be rerouted, but it would retain a crossing of the South Shore tracks.

Depending on funding and station design, Parsons said a parking ramp could be constructed, allowing for private developers to create an activity center in the areas surrounding the station.

An environmental impact statement will be required before property can be purchased, Parsons said.

"An environmental impact statement and public hearing are required as part of the process," he said. "The specifics will follow as part of the on-going process to qualify for federal funding."

NICTD has yet to obtain funding for the detailed engineering plan that comes next, Parsons said.

Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie has reviewed the NICTD preliminary downtown route and will present the plan to the City Council for its approval. Parsons expects some issues to be raised by the council at that point.

"We certainly want to develop a plan in concert with Michigan City that meets their needs," Parsons said.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=39931.61

Residents react to new plans for South Shore

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Al Henckel has owned and operated Al's Shoe Repair Service, 1115 Franklin St., for 54 years, outlasting his competition.

The 78-year-old isn't concerned about the century old building being knocked down and made into a parking lot for Michigan City's South Shore station because he doesn't plan to be in business in 2015.

That's the federally mandated deadline for removing the South Shore commuter train tracks from the middle of 11th Street. Under a proposed plan to revamp the South Shore's route through Michigan City, a 775-vehicle parking lot would knock out a mix of businesses, privately-owned homes, rental housing and a service organization.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District released a map labeled "Preliminary Downtown Reroute Concept" to The News-Dispatch on Monday. It designates a parking area between Wabash Street on the west and Franklin Street on the east, and from Warren Street on the south to just below 11th Street on the north.

Henckel doesn't like the plan, but said, "I don't think it will get off the ground."

"There are going to be a lot who don't want to move," Henckel said. "I really don't think it's going to help anything. They say it will bring a lot of business, but that remains to be seen."

The area slated for removal has a number of rundown and abandoned properties surrounded by well-maintained residences. Two homeowners in the affected area are taking a wait-and-see attitude until they find out more specifics.

David Hullinger, 1208 Washington St., was mowing the lawn of his well-tended yard Tuesday. Next door is an unoccupied, boarded-up building. Hullinger said he doesn't really know what the South Shore plans to do, but he's willing to sell the house he's lived in since 1992.

"We like our house and all that, but the city isn't doing anything about the boarded-up houses," Hullinger said.

Nacho Serrano, 221 Greene St., said he's not happy about the South Shore parking-lot plans, but doesn't mind selling his house "for the right price."

"I'm not going to talk until I know more," he said.

At The Salvation Army at Greene and Franklin streets, Maj. Brian Burkett and DeNita Ton, community services director, seemed stunned to see the map showing The Salvation Army within the parking-lot area.

"I'm shocked," Ton said. "I had no idea we were in jeopardy."

The Salvation Army invested $1.2 million in its facility some six years ago and wants to remain within the city's highest need neighborhood. Ton notes about 750 families are fed from The Salvation Army's food pantry each month.

"There are a lot less fortunate folks all around us," Ton said of the service organization's location.

Ton is nostalgic about the old 11th Street train station and wanted to see it reopened, while Burkett favors change that means progress for the city.

"Certainly, anything that can be done to improve the economic future of the city is a positive," he said. "Anything that can improve our clients' ability to get transportation to Chicago or South Bend is a positive thing."

Bob Weber, who operates Weber Group Realty out of his home, 1316 Wabash St., at the corner of William Street, is further south from the parking area, but close enough to be impacted by added noise and traffic. He sees the potential economic benefits that would come with an updated South Shore operation.

"If Michigan City is going to move forward, transportation is one of the issues, along with wages and the workforce," Weber said. "The South Shore expansion would give an opportunity for people to live here and get to places that have jobs."

As a Realtor, he said, updated South Shore service would have a potential benefit for real-estate sales.

"A house in Chicago one mile from the lake is $500,000 to $2 million," Weber said. "You can live here a mile from the lake for $90,000 to $100,000.

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Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.