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Development planned for land near Franklin Street bridge
By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch
This is an artist's rendering of Lakeside Station, which is slated to be built along Franklin Street, just south of Trail Creek. Illustration provided
A Michigan City developer will break ground this spring on a $600,000 retail, commercial and residential development on a narrow strip of land near the Franklin Street bridge just south of Trail Creek.
The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission on Monday granted developer Mike Conner preliminary authorization to proceed with plans for Lakeside Station. He said the development would include three buildings, each about 1,600 square feet, that would have a total of 12 units. Six units would be ground level retail business and six would be second floor office or residential space.
The development 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.
Conner acquired the property two years ago and had originally planned to build five story-and-a-half structures with a single driveway serving each building.
In September 2004, plans received preliminary approval from the commission. “The reason why we haven't proceeded was because we were in negotiations with two different developers for a parcel of land (that is Galveston's),” Conner said.
Conner said he had hoped to acquire the Galveston property, but a deal could not be worked out.
“It was clear to us (our project and Galveston) should be developed together, but we've been unable to come to terms with the developer and the seller of this parcel of land,” Conner said. “We cannot wait any longer to see what may or may not happen at Galveston.”
Without the Galveston property, Conner has scaled back his project. He said once construction starts on the first building, it could be completed by summer.
The first building, which backs up to Matey's, will house a retail operation on the first floor. The second floor will be office space.
The second building will have two additional retail spaces and residential use will also be considered for the second floor. A coffee and sandwich shop, said Conner, is planned for in the building.
Conner said he also wants to have a patio in front of the building, facing Franklin Street.
“I would love for car traffic to see, as they came down Franklin Street, pedestrians and people outside,” Conner said.
Contact reporter Amanda Haverstick at ahaverstick@thenewsdispatch.com.
By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch
This is an artist's rendering of Lakeside Station, which is slated to be built along Franklin Street, just south of Trail Creek. Illustration provided
A Michigan City developer will break ground this spring on a $600,000 retail, commercial and residential development on a narrow strip of land near the Franklin Street bridge just south of Trail Creek.
The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission on Monday granted developer Mike Conner preliminary authorization to proceed with plans for Lakeside Station. He said the development would include three buildings, each about 1,600 square feet, that would have a total of 12 units. Six units would be ground level retail business and six would be second floor office or residential space.
The development 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.
Conner acquired the property two years ago and had originally planned to build five story-and-a-half structures with a single driveway serving each building.
In September 2004, plans received preliminary approval from the commission. “The reason why we haven't proceeded was because we were in negotiations with two different developers for a parcel of land (that is Galveston's),” Conner said.
Conner said he had hoped to acquire the Galveston property, but a deal could not be worked out.
“It was clear to us (our project and Galveston) should be developed together, but we've been unable to come to terms with the developer and the seller of this parcel of land,” Conner said. “We cannot wait any longer to see what may or may not happen at Galveston.”
Without the Galveston property, Conner has scaled back his project. He said once construction starts on the first building, it could be completed by summer.
The first building, which backs up to Matey's, will house a retail operation on the first floor. The second floor will be office space.
The second building will have two additional retail spaces and residential use will also be considered for the second floor. A coffee and sandwich shop, said Conner, is planned for in the building.
Conner said he also wants to have a patio in front of the building, facing Franklin Street.
“I would love for car traffic to see, as they came down Franklin Street, pedestrians and people outside,” Conner said.
Contact reporter Amanda Haverstick at ahaverstick@thenewsdispatch.com.