[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...e9835270084.txt

Kohl's receives commission's OK

By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — In just about 13 minutes, the people who would like to build a Kohl’s at the south end of Dunes Plaza took a step toward that end during Tuesday’s Plan Commission meeting.

Four members of the nine-seat commission were absent: Boyd Phelps, Tim Smith, John Carr and Bryant Dabney.

With little discussion, the petition for a minor subdivision to create a four-acre lot in Dunes Plaza – presented by Steve Panko, who represented Key Development Partners, Chicago – was passed by the five commissioners present: Wallace Hook, Michael Gresham, Fred Klinder, Richard Murphy and Al Whitlow.

Plan commission attorney Steve Hale said the part of the petition dealing with the request for a waiver from the requirements that all lots have frontage on a public street was unnecessary because the new zoning ordinance exempts shopping centers from that requirement.

*
The petition was properly prepared and complied with city ordinances, Hale and City Planner John Pugh said.

Murphy, the Common Council liaison to the commission, said he was happy to welcome Kohl’s to the community.

Pugh said Kohl’s plans to fill space formerly occupied by Kmart, then Hobby Lobby.

Mayor Chuck Oberlie told The News-Dispatch on Nov. 29, “We’re excited. This is a project that will bring the Dunes Plaza back to life, and we hope to see more activities there soon.”

Down the road, Kohl’s will have to apply for a building permit for the project.

[Southsider2k12]

Tonight the Planning Commission approved 9-0 a TIF district corresponding to where the proposed location of the new Kohl's would be

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...6b126510594.txt

Hearing could be held to discuss TIF expansion

By Ilene Haluska
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, April 5, 2012 5:07 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The city’s Redevelopment Commission could set a formal public hearing date for surrounding land owners to comment on a TIF district expansion near U.S. Highway 20 and Franklin Street, officials said Wednesday.

The first step was getting approval by the Redevelopment Commission and the Planning Commission to expand the South Side TIF set to expire in 2025 and is the site of the old movie theater off of U.S. Route 20 and Franklin.

The expansion of the southside TIF area to include the entire Dunes Plaza was later approved by the Michigan City Plan Commission and ratified by the City Council during their meeting Tuesday night.

The expansion includes the location of the former Hobby Lobby/K-Mart building, and that a portion of the TIF would be effective until 2037, officials said.

The Redevelopment Commission is expected to meet Monday, April 9, at 5 p.m. in the city council chambers, and during the meeting could set a hearing date for the third week of April 23, City Planner John Pugh said.

“I’m glad that it’s moving forward,” Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer said. “I think Dunes Plaza is a vacant area that is being addressed and hopefully have multiple store fronts modernizing that complex.”

The site could be anchored by a Kohl’s department store, and national retail clothing and pet stores in addition to Kohl’s are interested in working with property owners. Officials called the project “competitive” in getting Kohl’s and said the expanded TIF would benefit the community regardless of what businesses come there.

Pugh said it’s a good move by the city to recapture any TIF funds for reuse by future projects, because the city could project the value of the improvements for new stores and determine the increment of the pre-redevelopment tax level and post-tax level for several things from surrounding road improvements like sewers, water lines, lift stations and demolitions.

“We’re very pleased with the progress and appreciate everyone’s support to make it happen,” Pugh said.

Steve Panko of Key Development Partners, the developer associated with the redevelopment project, said Tuesday at the city council meeting that the plan is to demolish the old theater and relocate the few remaining businesses.

[Southsider2k12]

Another positive step forward. The jobs alone are worth it. The property tax abatements are a non-factor, as that area isn't worth anything empty anyway.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...ed581543971.txt

Public hearing set for Dunes Plaza TIF proposal

Michigan City’s Redevelopment Commission has set a 5 p.m. April 23 hearing date at city hall for public comment about expanding the South Side TIF district to include buildings in the Dunes Plaza.
By Ilene Haluska
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — On Monday, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission set a date for the Dunes Plaza public hearing to expand the South Side tax increment district to include the former Kmart building. The hearing was set for Monday, April 23, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

The TIF would be expanded, officials said, from the vacant cinema building to include the buildings around the plaza, which could be upgraded or demolished using TIF funds to make the plaza available to new retail or services in the plaza.

Michigan City has three TIF districts, starting since 1986, said John Pugh, Michigan City director of planning and redevelopment. One is the North Side TIF that includes the Blue Chip Casino area, the North East TIF at North Roeske Avenue near GAF Materials and the South Side TIF.

A tax increment financing district, explained Pugh, is where the tax rate is frozen at the current rate, known as the pre-tax rate, collecting the difference at the post-tax rate and putting that money into the fund. The difference comes as the property is improved such as making the site ready for the development. Typical improvements such as roadwork go to the area of the TIF or surrounding areas impacting it.

Long John Silvers, Fortune House and the strip mall with Godfather’s Pizza could benefit from road improvements to the parking lot and roadways into the plaza. The strip mall built in the 1960s could get a new facade.

Officials said the South Side TIF could generate up to $150,000 a year in taxes and may not last 25 years, which is the time allotted for the TIF add-on.

Chris Sotos, chief financial officer for Key Development Partners, asked the redevelopment commission for up to $700,000 from the TIF funds to demolish 153,000 square feet of buildings in the Dunes Plaza. This includes the vacant cinema and former Kmart buildings, plus costs for asbestos abatement, officials said.

It’s no secret that Kohl’s wants to build in Dunes Plaza, Sotos said. The national clothing retailer could build and open by fall of 2013.

Officials discussed the ownership of Dunes Plaza, and Sotos said owners are in bankruptcy proceedings and not maintaining the property, which has many vacant buildings. Key Development Partners is asking for a quick sale of the property from the bank.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...ec177275662.txt

City shows its commitment to economic development

Published: Sunday, April 8, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
Michigan City’s redevelopment efforts to expand the TIF district to Dunes Plaza in order to encourage new uses for the property there shows the new city administration is keeping its promise to push economic development and recovery here.

Mayor Ron Meer envisions new storefronts and with a more modern look to the shopping complex area. The site could be anchored by a Kohl’s department store and national retail clothing and pet stores have expressed interest in locating at the site.

The TIF expansion has been approved by the Redevelopment commission and the Plan Commission, and on Tuesday night, was approved by the city council. A hearing date could be set on Monday for a public hearing on the TIF expansion to include the Dunes Plaza area.

We hope that this project continues on schedule and that the city administration, redevelopment and city planners are successful in bringing this area back to a commercial success story in the future.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...9f739710234.txt

Commission unanimously approves TIF expansion

By Ilene Haluska
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved the expansion of the South Side tax increment financing district (TIF) after a public hearing Monday.

The TIF expansion will allow developers to make the Dunes Plaza properties off of US. 20 and Franklin Avenue available to new retail or service businesses and to move forward with the development.

Redevelopment Commission President Ken Behrendt said the next step is for Key Development to work with the commission to work out development details.

“Now we have to have a structured contract between us and the developers as to what the redevelopment commission’s financial investment in the project will be,” he said.

*
The TIF district, which is a funding method for property and roadwork development, now includes the vacant cinema building, the former Kmart and buildings around the plaza. The buildings will be upgraded or demolished using the TIF funds. Plus, the TIF designation could generate up to $150,000 a year in taxes and may not last 25 years, which is the time allotted for the TIF add-on.

Michigan City has three TIF districts, starting since 1986, a North Side TIF at the Blue Chip Casino, a North East TIF at North Roeske Avenue and the South Side TIF.

Preliminary commission meeting discussions revealed that Long John Silvers, Fortune House and the strip mall with Godfather’s Pizza can benefit from road improvements to roadways surrounding the site and into the plaza. The strip mall built in the 1960s could get a new facade.

Chris Sotos, chief financial officer for Key Development Partners, proposed earlier this month that demolishing 153,000 square feet of buildings in the plaza could cost up to $700,000, including costs for asbestos abatement.

The national clothing retailer, Kohl’s, could build and open by fall of 2013.

Plaza ownership is in bankruptcy proceedings and Key Development Partners is asking for a quick sale of the property through the proceedings and trustees of the properties, officials said.

[taxthedeer]

When is the demolition of the abandoned white elephant Dune's Plaza Theater/Kmart buildings/construction of the new Kohl's scheduled to begin?

Erickson Jewelers is running an ad on WEFM stating that they are having a huge moving sale because their present location in Dunes Plaza is going to be demplished.

[Southsider2k12]

Michigan City Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission last night approved a TIF financing package for the demolition of the former Hobby Lobby, K Mart site at Dunes Plaza. This will make way for a 55,000 Sq.Ft. Kohls store as well as several other stores in the newly redeveloped shopping center.

[taxthedeer]

I heard that a Panera Bread franchise is going to go into that location.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte..._medium=twitter

Michigan City paves way for new Kohls store
By Stan Maddux Times Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY | Plans are being finalized for reviving the half-empty Dunes Plaza in Michigan City with Kohl's and other chain stores.

The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission on Thursday gave its blessing to financing a $700,000 demolition of both the old Kmart and Cinema buildings on the south and east side of Dunes Plaza along U.S. 20 just west of U.S. 421.

The commission also agreed to invest $300,000 to construct a lift station that would serve the new developments.

Redevelopment Commission president Ken Behrendt said the financial commitments from the city were sought by both the developer and Kohl's before they went through with their property acquisition and building plans.

Behrendt said having Dunes Plaza at full occupancy will eliminate an eyesore and enhance an already strong local retail base.

"We're solidifying Michigan City as a regional retail center," said Behrendt.

Behrendt said Key Development from Chicago will now take steps to close on the 27-acre Dunes Plaza possibly by the end of the month.

Four acres will be sold to Kohl's to construct a new store on the old Kmart site beginning, perhaps, next spring with completion in the fall of 2013.

Behrendt said the developer has also agreed to put up new buildings on each side of Kohl's.

He said agreements are in place for those structures to be filled by nationally recognized chain stores currently not being disclosed.

Dunes Plaza is in a Tax Increment Financing District, which allows the city to recover its investment from the tax dollars to be generated by an increase in property value from the new construction, Behrendt said.

Behrendt said the new owners plan on keeping the strip mall on the west side of the plaza and undertake facade and other improvements to that building.

Dunes Plaza was created in the early 1970s.

Among the hopes is that a revived plaza will mean a healthier Marquette Mall directly across U.S. 20 from the plaza.

"We're hoping it will reinvigorate the mall," said Behrendt said

[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/06/23...cd917221638.txt

Kohl's project moves ahead

By Lois Tomaszewski
Staff writer
Published: Saturday, June 23, 2012 5:00 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The demolition of the former K-Mart building in the Dunes Plaza to make way for Kohl’s and the opening of a new waterfront restaurant are on track after an action taken at the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission’s special meeting Thursday.

With a unanimous approval, the board passed a resolution accepting a memorandum of understanding between the commission and Key Development, the developer in the process of acquiring the 27-acre shopping center on U.S. 20.

The resolution gives the redevelopment commission the authority to demolish the former K-Mart building at a cost of no more than $700,000, Attorney Randolph Rompola said.

Once the building is demolished, Kohl’s will build a 55,000 square foot store. Attorney Chris Santos told the commission that his clients are in “the position to close on the property by the end of next week.” He also told the board that there has been much positive feedback for potential tenants of the plaza.

As part of the agreement, the developer has agreed to construct two new buildings located by the Kohl’s store, which would house other national retail and commercial tenants. While no specific potential stores have been named, a national pet store chain and clothing and shoe stores could take shape.

A second easement resolution relating to the Kohl’s project will come before the board after the demolition is completed, Rompola said. This easement will allow the on-site pump station to be reconstructed at no more than $300,000.

A request for the city to pay for facade upgrades for the buildings will be taken under consideration at a later time, once lease agreements are in hand, he said.

In another matter before the commission, a management agreement has been approved for a new restaurant that will occupy 12 on the Lake.

Water’s Edge is the name of the restaurant that will occupy the old Yacht Club building. Chef Mark Kolasa and his wife, Amanda, the owners of Cafe Elite on Wabash Street, have a lease/purchase agreement with former restaurant owners. Because the Kolasas have not purchased the property, the liquor license held by 12 on the Lake can be used in Water’s Edge, planning department Superintendent John Pugh said.

The Kolasas are working on the menus and hiring staff. Approval of the lease is needed from the Port Authority, but the new restaurant operators’ attorney said he was not expecting any problems.

[taxthedeer]

How is this project moving along? I thought by now the white elephant Kmart and Dunes Plaza cinema building would have been leveled by now.

[Southsider2k12]

How is this project moving along? I thought by now the white elephant Kmart and Dunes Plaza cinema building would have been leveled by now.

I just saw today that the Military museum is being kicked out, so it sounds like it is progressing.

[Southsider2k12]

It looks like Pet Smart is going to be one of the new stores in the new Dunes Plaza. They are accepting applications for a Michigan City store location on their website. Reading the big MC facebook page, also rumored are Panera and Marshalls.

[Southsider2k12]

Walls are starting to be erected at the new Kohl's location.

[mcstumper]

Isn't the old Dunes Plaza theater and attached strip mall supposed to come down?

[Southsider2k12]

Isn't the old Dunes Plaza theater and attached strip mall supposed to come down?

Yes. According to what was said last year, that should start being demolished any time now.

[taxthedeer]

What's up with the people standing in front of the gate with the sign that reads: Kohl's Shame Shame Shame on you!!!. I was in Valpo the other day and people were standing in out in front of the Valpo Kohl's with the same sign. I figured it must be some kind of disgruntled union thing.

[Southsider2k12]

What's up with the people standing in front of the gate with the sign that reads: Kohl's Shame Shame Shame on you!!!. I was in Valpo the other day and people were standing in out in front of the Valpo Kohl's with the same sign. I figured it must be some kind of disgruntled union thing.

I'm guessing it is a union thing, similar to when they were building Olive Garden.