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#1
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 16,449 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 ![]() |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=32796.78
QUOTE Oberlie: North End Can Be 'Choice' Area Jason Miller The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - In his annual state-of-the-city address last week, Mayor Chuck Oberlie outlined his fast-track plans for the city's North End in hopes that after the first quarter of 2008, the engine of change will be humming. Saying the area isn't pedestrian friendly or visually pleasing, he hopes the results of three studies laying out possibilities for the North End turn the area - through a unified vision - into the city's "neighborhood of choice." "The beauty of it all is that I outlined 21 different projects, and all of them will be moving forward as of (Thursday)," he said. "And they can all move forward without hurting the others." Oberlie also released a small portfolio featuring a few ideas for North End redevelopment gleaned from three studies the city has commissioned in the last two years. The most visually striking of the ideas is a large residential and commercial area along Trail Creek which, in theory, would include three large high-rise buildings just across the creek from Blue Chip Casino. Oberlie's thoughts are that developing the Trail Creek Corridor from Eighth Street to Washington Park would turn the city's North End into the crown jewel of the city. His hopes aren't without precedent. Although its size pales in comparison to that of Michigan City, the town of Saugatuck, Mich., benefits greatly from a developed Kalamazoo River, which houses not only hundreds of private boat slips, but residences, shops and restaurants like those Oberlie envisions for Trail Creek. "Our boating industry is a huge element of our success, if not the lifeblood of our town," second-term Saugatuck Mayor Tony Vettori said Friday. "And it's all due to the fact that there's so much to do right along the river. It brings in boaters and non-boaters." Like Michigan City, Saugatuck features a river that leads to a large, heavily used beach and the waters of Lake Michigan. Vettori said the beach benefits from the downtown river scene, just as the downtown benefits from the beach and Lake Michigan. "We've become an art destination and a shopping destination. And Oval Beach is rated one of the top 10 beaches in the country," Vettori said. "The water is all a part of what draws people here, and I'd think it would have the same effect in Michigan City." |
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#2
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![]() Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 ![]() |
When I was in high school, my parents had a cottage with a Saugatuck address, three or four miles by water from downtown Saugatuck.
Saugatuck has a long history of development along the river. Anyone who has been there knows that the entire downtown area is no more than four blocks from the Kalamazoo River, which is a navigable river for miles and miles, unlike our little Trail Creek. Saugatuck started off as a logging town (google Singapore, MIchigan for more info), and became an artist colony in the early 1900's. They had enough sense to turn to tourism as their main industry some time ago. According to wikipedia, the year round population is about 1000, but summer population is about 3000. I'm not sure how much of a model Saugatuck can be for MC, given the difference in scale. However, one point does hit home. The key to north end redevelopment is Lake Michigan, which is to say boating and boat slips. Those proposed high rises are going to empty unless a sizable percentage of the owners are going to have boat slips to go with their condos. MIchigan City is for all practical purposes the only town in Indiana with access to Lake Michigan for recreational boating, and we need to capitalize on that. The owners of the proposed condos are going to be Chicago people buying second homes. I have no problem with Chicago people spending money here, tourism dollars and property taxes for second homes that they use only a small part of the year, and I have to question the sanity and/or smarts of anyone who does have a problem with it. For purposes of north end redevelopment, the two primary resources we have are the lake and our proximity to Chicago. In my mind's eye, Chicago is like a vein of ore that we have to mine. And that ore, my friends, is cash. |
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#3
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 3,237 Joined: 8-December 06 From: MC Member No.: 3 ![]() |
See, that is the problem. You do not see the long-run effect of removing the waterfront from public access. Oh, well.
![]() The difference between genius and stupidity is that there are limits to genius. Albert Einstein
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#4
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![]() Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 ![]() |
Does the waterfront on Trail Creek from US 12 south have any significant public access now? When I look at it on Google Maps, what I see is the casino from US 12 to the E street bridge on the east side, and Blocksom and a marina on the west side. What public access are we going to lose?
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#5
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 3,237 Joined: 8-December 06 From: MC Member No.: 3 ![]() |
The point is that it is already lost. I want it regained so that there will be a better reason (or any) to develop more than the immediate waterfront.
![]() The difference between genius and stupidity is that there are limits to genius. Albert Einstein
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#6
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 5,171 Joined: 11-December 06 From: Indiana Member No.: 10 ![]() |
The point is that it is already lost. I want it regained so that there will be a better reason (or any) to develop more than the immediate waterfront. Good point. I agree ![]() Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
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#7
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![]() Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 ![]() |
The point is that it is already lost. I want it regained so that there will be a better reason (or any) to develop more than the immediate waterfront. Have you looked at the Lohan Anderson Trail Creek Plan, Roger? http://www.emichigancity.com/cityhall/depa..._Creek_Plan.pdf What I am seeing in that plan is public access to Trail Creek which we currently do not have, some retail establishments along the creek, and the balance would be residences. However, it appears to me that the actual creek edge is accessible to the public for the whole length. While I am as skeptical about all the "plans" and "studies" as anyone, this one looks pretty good to me. Implementation is something else all together, but unless you want to turn everything between the creek and Michigan Blvd. into a grassy park (which would do absolutely nothing in regards to helping the north end -- who's going to stop there to look at a ditch when they can go a couple miles further and be on Lake Michigan?), the Lohan Anderson plan is a vast improvement over the way things are now. |
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#8
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Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 627 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 41 ![]() |
Has anyone in Michigan City wondered why the State of the City address happened in the first week of January? Right smack on top of the sanitary district hiring debacle, instead of the usual second or third week in February. Has anyone looked at the fact it calls for putting all our eggs in a plan that calls for housing lots of housing, upscale housing. Sorry neighbors, but we have got to get our heads out of the clouds. This plan, this concept new urban renewal, huge investment in the housing market is about ten years to late. Oberlie at this for over 35 years, starting in the planning dept. has not got a clue. He head is not in the clouds it is up his..... well, you know what I mean. I work for a family business, part of our business involves building and selling upscale housing. The last one we did sold for 2.2 million dollars, we sold it in December of 2006. We have not even bothered looking at another parcel of property since. Why? Because the housing market is in the dumps. The sub prime lending has not even fully hit us yet and the banks are not very free at lending money right now. What we will end up with is a north end that looks like Roger Willoughbys Michigan Boulevard gas station development.
If you go back to Mr. Oberlies last State of the City address you will find a call to work at ridding Michigan City of the neglected and abandoned properties in our neighborhoods. He said we must find ways to attract people back into our neighborhoods. What did Oberlie lay as the foundation to accomplish this? We started the year off issuing building permits to a very controversial housing complex at the questionable outskirts of town in a cornfield. Next change the zoning in a residential neighborhood to commercial and issue building permits to erect a gas station in a residential neighborhood, across the street from a park. (judge saw it as wrong and overturned it thank God) We ended the year allowing a car crushing junk yard the permit to operate a couple of hundred feet away from an area he claims he is trying to attract family's to live. The inspection Dept. has no teeth to go after the property owners to keep up their property, we do nothing to change a system. A system we know does not work. I have one of these boarded up houses right out my front door. It has been this way since Chuck has been in charge. As long as Michigan City continues doing the same thing, the same way it will be there till he is gone. So Michigan City be warned, this North End plan on the Oberlie fast track may just run us all over. WASHINGTON (AP) - United for urgent action, the White House and Congress raced toward emergency steps Thursday to rescue the national economy from a possible recession, including tax rebates of at least $300 a person - and maybe as much as $800. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke endorsed the idea of putting money into the hands of those who would spend it quickly and boost the flagging economy. All the talk of rescue efforts failed to soothe Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrials plunged 306.95 points, underscoring deepening concern about the country's economic health. The sudden scramble to take action came as fears mounted that a severe housing slump and a painful credit crisis could cause people to clamp down on their spending and businesses to put a lid on hiring, throwing the country into its first recession since 2001. |
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#9
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 16,449 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 ![]() |
Did anyone else watch the unveiling of the north end plan last night? A great idea and plan, but I think Ilove is right, 10 years too late. I just don't know where you are going to find a developer to pony up that kind of cash in this time.
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#10
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 16,449 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 ![]() |
I did forget to post the preview I got from Alderman Murphy. There are links to the plan that was presented last night.
QUOTE Dear Friends, Many of you are aware of the exciting plans that have been put forth for the redevelopment of Michigan City's North End. Please see links below to access these plans online. 1) The Elston Grove Streetscape Project This was a project to set guidelines for new streetscape infrastructure in our historic district of Elston Grove. Neighbors worked with consultant JJR, Chicago in a series of visioning sessions to set guidelines on decorative lighting, gateway features, pocket parks, bikepaths, historic signage and other features. Implementation is set to happen in the next year. 2) The Lohan Anderson Reuse plan for the Trail Creek Corridor and Memorial Hospital Property The result again of input from Michigan City citizens, business people, and city leaders working with renowned architects, Lohan Anderson, Chicago to propose a reuse plan for our Trail Creek. The result will be an attractive downtown waterfront amenity for Michigan CIty residents and visitors to enjoy. BOTH OF THE ABOVE PLANS CAN BE ACCESSED @: http://www.emichigancity.com/cityhall/depa...nning/index.htm 3) The Andrews University North End Plan. The 28 Andrews University students under Professor Andrew Von Maur held a series of public meetings where residents, business people, public officials, and architects and urban designs with national reputations put forth ideas. The ideas were captured and enhanced by the students in a comprehensive plan. The result is a phenomenal document. Currently it is in draft form. The final Andrew’s University presentation will take place on Thursday, January 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Michigan City Council Chambers. THIS PLAN CAN BE ACCESSED AT: http://www.andrewsurbandesign.org/ Let's get the word out. In these plans, are the makings of a World Class City. |
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#11
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 16,449 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 ![]() |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...;ArticleID=8865
QUOTE Andrews Shows Off North End Study University officials stress changes don’t have to be quick. Jason Miller The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - Residents on Thursday were given their first real look at the study that officials feel could transform the city's North End. Instructors and students from the Andrews University Urban Design Studio presented the final results of their early fall study to an overflowing crowd at Michigan City City Hall. The study, commissioned last summer, not only gave ideas for utilization of new retail, residential units and green space, but also presented a way to refit the city's zoning process. That would make the study's conclusions more feasible. "Everything we've done here is a proposal that has to be taken to the next level," said Andrew Von Maur, the head of the design studio and facilitator of the study. "It's not a 100-percent blueprint to follow, but it shows how development should work. It's a visionary illustration that's supposed to help guide the decision-making process." The study focused on creating "meat" in the middle of what many call the city's "Golden Triangle,"the area between Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, Blue Chip Casino and Washington Park. Andrews students designed wholesale changes not only at the edges of the triangle, but in the middle, as well, including parks and new buildings, all of which Von Maur said would make the city more pedestrian friendly. "We want to turn the triangle into a diamond by utilizing the South Shore (railroad on 11th Street)," he said. "Franklin Street is a pretty good district, but it's surrounded by a non-pedestrian friendly environment. The study shows how to change that." Along with making Franklin Street a two-way street and creating a shopping and residential mecca along Trail Creek, the study also showed how to utilize Washington Park more efficiently. The study makes use of beach as a "front yard to the city," by creating a grassy area with an amphitheater on one side and a restaurant on the other. Parks Superintendent Darrell Garbacik liked the idea. "It looks surprisingly like the parks' Master Plan," Garbacik said. He was referring to a plan introduced last year that included many ideas the Andrews study encompassed, including a restaurant. "And I think it looks pretty darn cool." One of the more interesting aspects of the study, Von Maur said, is its introduction of, and recommendation of, a new zoning plan called SmartCode. SmartCode sets up zones based on the type of environment the city seeks instead of specific uses. The code more easily blends different types of uses into one area to fit the idea of what officials would like the area to become. Von Maur said the study should be phased in over generations. Mayor Chuck Oberlie already has laid out plans to begin work on some of the ideas as soon as this year. "These are all bold ideas. Some people are ready to start today," Von Maur said. "But some aren't. This is something that should be phased in over time." Contact reporter Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com. |
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#12
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![]() Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 ![]() |
Did anyone else watch the unveiling of the north end plan last night? A great idea and plan, but I think Ilove is right, 10 years too late. I just don't know where you are going to find a developer to pony up that kind of cash in this time. I was at the meeting last night. I was the guy standing next to Rich Murphy, if you were there southsider. There's supposed to be a poll about it on the N-D website, but I'm not finding it, just the article at: http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49192.93 which I see on preview Southsider has quoted already. Two things I really like about this study -- first, they come down hard against the idea of moving the 11th street South Shore station, actually making the station a major part of their plan, and second (which isn't mentioned in the N-D article), they remove the library and city hall and run Franklin back out to the lake. I do agree that this plan isn't going to happen tomorrow. With the sub-prime lending market imploding, and with the current admin in City Hall, it just isn't happening until the next election cycle. |
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#13
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![]() Spends WAY too much time at CBTL ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 16,449 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 ![]() |
I was at the meeting last night. I was the guy standing next to Rich Murphy, if you were there southsider. There's supposed to be a poll about it on the N-D website, but I'm not finding it, just the article at: http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49192.93 which I see on preview Southsider has quoted already. Two things I really like about this study -- first, they come down hard against the idea of moving the 11th street South Shore station, actually making the station a major part of their plan, and second (which isn't mentioned in the N-D article), they remove the library and city hall and run Franklin back out to the lake. I do agree that this plan isn't going to happen tomorrow. With the sub-prime lending market imploding, and with the current admin in City Hall, it just isn't happening until the next election cycle. I did not go, but I watched it on Ch 97. I did find it interesting that after blasting Joie Winski's idea to move the library during the election cycle, the ND was 100% silent on that being a centerpiece of this plan, along with some major revamps of City Hall. |
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#14
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![]() Advanced Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 389 Joined: 7-March 07 Member No.: 90 ![]() |
I thought (re)moving the library was interesting, but still think it is not Necessary. I dont see why all the building would happen in between all the shops on mich Blvd Franklin.
The best thing was the idea of making it a Gold Diamond, instead of, a Golden Triangle, by developing the 11th street South Shore station: Franklin St Bridge--8th and Mich--Station--Lighthouse place(let's say 6th and Wabash). Potratz the architect has talked about the east/west corridor as a neglected key part of any plan, prob along 6th st. |
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#15
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![]() Advanced Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 459 Joined: 4-April 07 Member No.: 182 ![]() |
See, that is the problem. You do not see the long-run effect of removing the waterfront from public access. Oh, well. I've got to disagree with you on this one, Rog. For the City to benefit, waterfront redevelopment has to be about best use. From the Franklin St. bridge to the E St. bridge, it is all about boat slips. The general public is going to have little interest in walking along the creek side between those two points when they can take in a better view at Millenium Park or walk the catwalk to the Lighthouse. We have public access to waterfront property at the Indiana Lakeshore/Mt. Baldy, Washington Park, Millenium Park, Peanut Bridge, Krueger Park and International Friendship Gardens. I don't feel deprived. ![]() Put simply, mean reversion is a bitch. -Vitaliy Katsenelson
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#16
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Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 627 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 41 ![]() |
I thought (re)moving the library was interesting, but still think it is not Necessary. I dont see why all the building would happen in between all the shops on mich Blvd Franklin. The best thing was the idea of making it a Gold Diamond, instead of, a Golden Triangle, by developing the 11th street South Shore station: Franklin St Bridge--8th and Mich--Station--Lighthouse place(let's say 6th and Wabash). Potratz the architect has talked about the east/west corridor as a neglected key part of any plan, prob along 6th st. The Golden Triangle did not work. Trying a failed plan over only bigger sounds just like what Oberlie would do. Winski's plan so for is the only one that would attract developers to use their money instead of ours. |
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#17
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![]() Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 ![]() |
The Golden Triangle did not work. Trying a failed plan over only bigger sounds just like what Oberlie would do. Winski's plan so for is the only one that would attract developers to use their money instead of ours. I have to disagree here. The Golden Triangle was never anything that would "work," is simply is. The main features of the north end are the casino boat, the lakefront, and the outlet mall. That is a simple fact. It's also a fact that no one has done anything to use the "Golden Triangle" to jump start north end redevelopment even though it has been talked about since the original Andersen plan. Though there have been major steps backward (can you say "Franklin Square"?) which were implemented by certain people who are still running the show. |
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#18
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Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 627 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 41 ![]() |
I have to disagree here. The Golden Triangle was never anything that would "work," is simply is. The main features of the north end are the casino boat, the lakefront, and the outlet mall. That is a simple fact. It's also a fact that no one has done anything to use the "Golden Triangle" to jump start north end redevelopment even though it has been talked about since the original Andersen plan. Though there have been major steps backward (can you say "Franklin Square"?) which were implemented by certain people who are still running the show. I agree with most of your post. The part I disagree with is that the triangle is part of it. When Sheila was on the committee selecting the company to receive the license here, she chose Blue Chip and its upstream location. Solely to create the Golden Triangle. The other two firms were offering between 15 and 20 million more per year through the agreement of suitability. Just having the Golden Triangle would revitalize downtown MC by itself. Never happened. When other Cities with boats are getting 5-8% of the adjusted gross revenue, we are getting a whopping .6% |
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#19
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![]() Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 1,658 Joined: 26-July 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 482 ![]() |
I was unaware of that bit of history, lovethiscity. Before my time.
So the riverboat was placed where it is, and potential revenues from it were substantially reduced, in order to create the "Golden Triangle," with the expectation that the "Golden Triangle effect" would revitalize the north end. And then the architects of that plan, who were for the most part the architects of the Franklin Square plan which killed the north end to begin with, stepped back and waited for... I dunno, magic to happen, and the north end would resurrect itself. I really wish someone would write a History of Michigan City which would include all this stuff. I'd pay real money for a copy of that. Stuff like which families are the prominent MC families (I'm a newcomer here, during the last primary my reaction to LaRocco was "Who?"), stuff like the history of the airport (the old one where Menard's is now, the attempt by our town fathers to scam the FAA out of grant money, and the resulting purchase of the current airport), the whole Franklin Square debacle, etc. Stuff that the LaPorte County Historical Society would find a bit too current to concern themselves with. Maybe I should check out some of their stuff anyway. |
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#20
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Really Comfortable ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 2,315 Joined: 10-February 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 43 ![]() |
I really wish someone would write a History of Michigan City which would include all this stuff. I'd pay real money for a copy of that. Stuff like which families are the prominent MC families (I'm a newcomer here, during the last primary my reaction to LaRocco was "Who?"), stuff like the history of the airport (the old one where Menard's is now, the attempt by our town fathers to scam the FAA out of grant money, and the resulting purchase of the current airport), the whole Franklin Square debacle, etc. Stuff that the LaPorte County Historical Society would find a bit too current to concern themselves with. Maybe I should check out some of their stuff anyway. It would be interesting to see. Wonder who they'd include...the Barker and Ruby families would be obvious. I'd like to think the Winski's would make it in too. This post has been edited by JHeath: Jan 19 2008, 06:33 PM |
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