The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce’s economic update spotlighted progress and prosperity stemming from downtown development and the train station.
Clarence Hulse, Economic Development Corp. Michigan City executive director, and Skyler York, Michigan City director of redevelopment, discussed updates, momentum and the city’s future. A core topic was the Shore Train Station – Double Track Project, which includes a new parking garage and renovated train station along with a mixed-use multi-family development.
“Having the Double Track improvements across the whole region, and the 11th Street multiple-level development adjacent to the train station, has created a lot of attention. We are able to leverage new dollars for incentives,” Hulse said in a press release. “This is a signal to developers, businesses and investors across Chicagoland, Indiana and Southwest Michigan that we can do large projects and want to do business.”
York said that the new train station has spurred a different view of downtown and has continued to lay the groundwork for more opportunities.
“The train station has expanded what we think of as downtown – it once ended at 11th Street – now there is a whole other piece south of that – all the way to Ames Field,” York said. “The downtown plaza at 7th & Franklin Street allows for additional activities and more business space as the area has been electrified. It’s completely wired for more ways to utilize the space, including the upcoming movies at the plaza and block party around the boat races.”
The first Designated Alcohol Refreshment Area in the city runs from the beach to 11th Street and is a component of the downtown changes.
“This allows local businesses and restaurants to serve you a drink in a cup, and you are allowed to walk around downtown. With area events, you can walk around with a glass of wine, beer or mixed drink,” York said.
Key projects are in various stages of the development process, including plans for over 1,000 apartments and a grocery store at 5th and Pine streets, the State Prison feasibility study and redevelopment, SoLa and new housing city wide.
“The State Prison Reimagination study has a lot going on behind the scenes. There are ideas for a small retail village, recreation lodge and single and multi-family units. In the next year, we will look at input and proposals as the analysis continues on what’s next for the space,” Hulse said.
The Tryon Meadows housing development is moving through the stages of the development process, with the first phase being the largest to include townhomes and single-family units. “Singing Sands Suites” is a workforce housing initiative with 300 family styled apartments planned. This is in the initial stages for modular structure units on what was once a brownfields site.
“We are also focusing on neighborhoods with the Vibrant Michigan City initiative and Neighborhood Leadership Academy,” York said. “We are teaching and inspiring leaders to help make their neighborhoods stronger and want them to start telling us what they need … instead of us telling them.”
Community members and small businesses should stay engaged to sustain the synergy that is sparked by all the new developments and projects, Hulse said.
“It’s an exciting period for Michigan City,” he said. “We encourage all of you to be a part of it, be engaged and get involved. It takes everybody to make these things happen.”
