Economic Development/Community Development

Info | Development Links | Current Project Details | City Maps

Across the City there are literally dozens of projects in the works that are directly related to Economic Development and Community Development. In this section of our web site, we will try to keep the most current information posted as related to each of the projects from the ground breaking through their completion. Just click on any of the following links to find out the latest developments for each of the projects:

Baseball Fields
Bike Trail
Center Street Housing Development
City Lakefront and Master Plans
Cleveland Avenue Reconstruction
Commercial Development - New Businesses
Community Center Revitalization
Demolition
Illiana Hotel
Lakefront Development
New York Avenue Housing Development
Parking Improvement Projects
Senior Citizen - Empty Nester Housing Development
Infrastructure Improvement Projects
Standard Avenue and Front Street Reconstruction Project

Revised 8/5/10

Baseball Fields Relocation

As part of the Lake Front Project, the baseball field at the park will need to be relocated. The existing field will be relocated to the Standard Diamonds located and is slated to be much larger with many more amenities. The footprint of the field will be where the former water plant, skate park and little league field used to be.

The little league and softball complexes will be relocated to the present empty lot along 117th Street across from the football field parking lot. Work on these two projects will begin the second week in August and will finish in the spring in time for the new season.

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Bike Trail Project

As part of the city's RDA grant a bike trail is being designed to connect the present George Lake Path to our proposed new bike trail to the lakefront. The project has been bid out and awarded. Construction is 90% complete. This trail will wind from Indianapolis Boulevard through our our Standard Diamonds recreational area as it heads toward the park along Front Street. Eventually this trail will also connect to a proposed bike trail along the new Standard Avenue heading east linking to future trails envisioned in the Marquette Greenway vision. The project will be completed in September.

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Center Street Housing Development

Five new housing starts are expected within the next two months. The tempo of that project is definitely picking up. The town home portion of the development west of the parking area has been changed to solely single family homes as a result of customer demand.

City Lakefront and Master Plans

The Whiting Lakefront project is advancing. The RDA has approved a $19.45 Million grant to fund the lakefront components related to public access to the lake. The balance of the project scope will be funded by TIF bonds through the Redevelopment Commission and funds from federal grants and private contributions. Construction of the infrastructure portion of the Lakefront Project has begun along the Front Street entrance to the park. The infrastructure portion will bring utilities to the park to support the eventual build out of the full scope of the project which should begin in July focusing on the boardwalk, fishing pier, bike path, and other amenities. The Lakefront Project should take about two years for total completion. Activities in the park for 2010 should be accommodated until Labor Day. Park activities after that date will need to be coordinated through the park department as to feasibility.

Groundbreaking for the Lakefront Project was held June 21, 2010 officially starting the work toward fulfilling the Lakefront Plan.

Cleveland Avenue Reconstruction

Cleveland Avenue complete reconstruction including new sewer, new water main, new curbs, new sidewalks and replacing brick pavers has begun. The project is about 90% completed, the brick pavers have been set and work will begin to seal the pavers. The street lighting has been installed. Next up will be the planting of the trees and sod repairs.

Commercial Development - New Businesses

The Junkyard business has relocated to the former location of Cheap Seats at 1504 119th Street. We wish them continued success in their new location.

Community Center Revitalization

The new windows for the Community Center has been completed. The Community Center roof repairs have also been completed. The roof tiles installed were obtained from the manufacturer of the original tiles installed in the 30's. The color of the tiles also matches the original installation. The benefits of all the work accomplished has been reflected in energy savings and the restoration of the historic character of the Community Center. Much of the work accomplished was facilitated through grants from the DNR and Congressman's Visclosky's office.

Work directed at additional energy savings is also progressing with the installation of new efficient boilers, insulation, and low energy lighting. Upgrades to the electrical system and the installation of an emergency generator are planned. The Community Center serves as a gathering area if a community emergency were to occur.

Demolition

Demolition has been completed on 1930 New York Ave., 1932 New York Ave., and 1934 New York Ave. These demolitions will support the continued program to construct housing in the 1900 block of New York Ave. as part of the Redevelopment Commission's program in this revitalization area.

Demolition has been completed on 1620 Cleveland Ave. as well as 1642 Sheridan Ave. These properties are classified as unsafe and were purchased by the City. It is the intent to place the vacant lots after the demolition up for sale to potential builders of new homes.

Illiana Hotel

Has been purchased by a developer with the intent of giving the property a face lift compliant with historical guidelines. The master plan for the property is to add additional commercial space in the first floor area as well as convert the upper floors into condo living space. If individuals are interested in more information, please contact Bob Kark at 219 659 7704 x 235.

Lakefront Development

The prerequisite of any lakefront development is developing a supportive infrastructure. The City has contracted an engineering company to address the infrastructure needs for power, sewer and water to the lakefront sized for opportunities such as a planned boardwalk, greenway, and other amenities. We have partial funding committed to that goal through the cooperation of Representative Visclosky's office. An additional $2.6 Million funding for this project and a bike path linking the George Lake path to Whiting Park has been received from the RDA. Construction of the park infrastructure should begin this spring.

On Tuesday, September 22, Mayor Joe Stahura conducted a presentation releasing the final plan for Whiting's Lakefront Development. The plan has been approved by the Plan Commission and the City Council. The focus of the project is to transform Whiting Lakefront Park into a destination point for all to enjoy. Included in the plan is a new 2-tiered boardwalk along the shoreline, which will connect the Whiting trail system to the Hammond trail system and then up into Chicago. Also included is the creation of a new nature area, renovation of all existing facilities and a new gazebo event center on the shoreline, with the Chicago skyline serving as its backdrop. New parking facilities, renovation and expansion of the existing pathways and Whihala Beach boat harbor renovations are also planned. A new Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Museum is also included as part of the overall project. The entire plan can now be viewed on our web site and copies are on display at the Whiting Public Library and at City Hall, where the display boards can also be reviewed. You can view the plan and related information by clicking on the links below:

Preliminary phases of the project are already underway. Construction of the project is expected to continue through 2013. The project is being funded entirely with grants and industrial tax revenue (TIF) and no residential or commercial property tax revenue will be used. The project has received a grant from the RDA of $19.5 million. Additional questions can be directed to Bob Kark, Director of Economic Development at City Hall.

Construction has been completed on the new homes along New York Avenue east side and they were all purchased. Construction will begin shortly on two new homes along the west side of the 1900 block of New York Ave. in the empty lots owned by the Redevelopment Commission.

These will be good starter homes or an opportunity to downsize from a larger home to a more reasonable new home with fewer maintenance issues. Whatever the needs may be, the commission is willing to work with future buyers with various plans. These homes can be purchased upon completion or purchased during construction. The two new starts also can be purchased in the same way or through arrangements with the builder to build as a home of their own design subject to commission approval.

If you are interested in looking at the plans, you can come to City Hall and see Bob Kark, or call the builder directly, Bob Hennessey 219 663 2960. If you have any questions call Bob Kark at 219 659 7700.

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Parking Improvement Projects

The city is completing the construction of an additional municipal parking lot to be located in the 1500 block of 119th Street. This lot will be located along the south side of the 1500 block. Finishing touches and landscaping are being addressed.

Additional parking to the rear of 1409, 1413, and 1417 119th Street in a mini parking were constructioned. This project when completed added an additional 13 spaces to the city parking inventory and serve the needs of the new Bull Dog brew pub to be opened in the spring and the Chamber of Commerce Office.

The construction of Empty-Nester condos could begin as early as the second quarter of 2010. The developer will be submitting drawings and will begin the process toward petitioning the Plan Commission for a Planned Unit Development approval. Details and photos to follow soon! The actual start date of the project will be determined by the response of potential residents. Signage on the proposed location directs an interested party to call 219 852 3008 for information. Four firm commitments to purchase, should trigger the start of construction. As a prerequisite to the construction, the alley along the old Center Street area is to be reconstructed in September.

Reconstruction of the Center Street alley has been completed and will serve to improve access and traffic flow near the proposed condo site.

Infrastructure Improvement Projects

The next scheduled sewer and improvement will be located along the entire length of Cleveland Avenue. This project is underway. The scope of the project will include tree removal and replanting; new sewer from Ohio Ave. to 119th Street; new sidewalks; and restoration of the brick surface of the street.

The new water line connecting Hammond to Whiting replacing our demolished water plant will begin construction the the second week of August. The Army Corp of Engineers is running this project which will run the line through the park connecting the distribution network at Front Street. This project should be complete and running by Labor Day. This project is funded by a $1.5M grant arranged through Congressman's Visclosky's Office.

A new 12 inch water line is planned for construction in September to improve water pressure and fire service. This line will tie into the new water main supply line and connect our network at Ohio Ave. just south of the Sanitary Basin. By October our water distribution network should be up full and improved performance.

Standard Avenue and Front Street Reconstruction Project

Standard Ave. is completed with the exception of the installation of Street lighting and and landscaping which will begin this fall as Phase II of the project. New streets, sewer and water lines were part of this major project to open up the parcels of land bounded by those streets for redevelopment. The Redevelopment Commission has funded the project through a $7.5 million in TIF bond issue.

Phase II of the project is engineered. This phase will provide lighting and landscaping of Standard Avenue. This project is partially funded through the cooperation of Representative Visclosky's office via INDOT.