Economic Development - Community Development

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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:

Center Street Housing Development
Cleveland Avenue Reconstruction
Commercial Development - New Businesses
Community Center Revitalization
Demolition
Globe Roofing Redevelopment
Illiana Hotel
Indianapolis Boulevard Reconstruction Project
Justak Trucking
Lakefront Development
Medical Facility
New Police/Fire Radio System
New York Avenue Housing Development
New York Avenue Street Reconstruction
Ohio Avenue and 118th Street Water Line Improvement
Parking Improvement Projects
Senior Citizen - Empty Nester Housing Development
Sewer Improvement Projects
Standard Avenue and Front Street Reconstruction Project

Revised 4/16/08

Center Street Housing Development

Five new housing starts are expected within the next two months. Chicago based realtors are now assisting the City and developer in marketing the housing development to the Chicago area market. 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. The street lights and landscaping for the neighborhood should be completed by mid September.

Cleveland Avenue Reconstruction

Cleveland Avenue complete reconstruction including new sewer, new water main, new curbs, new sidewalks and replacing brick pavers will be engineered by August. It is possible that the project bid may be awarded in 2008 with construction beginning in 2009.

Commercial Development - New Businesses

John's Pizzeria is open at the corner of Schrage and Indianapolis Blvd. at the location of the previous Just Doty's.

InSPArations a therapeutic massage and body treatment spa is also open for business at 1600 119th Street Suite 1B. We welcome Olga Neumann, CMT to the business district.

Community Center Revitalization

The installation of new windows for the Community Center has been completed with the exception of staining the interior frames. The Community Center roof repairs have begun. The roof tiles being 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 window and roof repairs will do well to improve the energy efficiency of the building lowing its operating costs.

Demolition

The next demolition project envisioned will be the former Globe Roofing Company. Public notice requesting bids on the project should be posted soon.

Globe Roofing Redevelopment

The property formally owned by Globe Roofing has been acquired by the City. This includes the main buildings and the employee parking lot on the corner of Schrage and Steiber Streets. The City is currently in discussions with our developer to identify the best use of this property for development purposes. When combined with the City owned parking lot south of the Globe buildings, this becomes a sizable development opportunity. Meetings with the neighborhood residents will take place before a final decision is made on the type of development for the property.

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 Brian Lowry at 219 659 7704 x 246.

Indianapolis Boulevard Reconstruction Project

Information and photos coming soon!

Justak Trucking Demolition Project

With the exception of some minor cleanup, the former Justak Trucking Company has been totally demolished and ready for the next step of development. Potential candidates for building on the site are working on plans since the property is now zoned as a Planned Unit Development.

Lakefront Development

The prerequisite of any lakefront development is developing a supportive infrastructure. The City has contracted an engineering company to addressed 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 bikepath linking the Wolf Lake path to Whiting Park has been received from the RDA. Construction should begin on the projects this fall.

New Medical Facility

An final agreement could not be reached to construct this facility. The City is now working on several new options for the property and will post information on this page as soon as it is available.

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New York Avenue Housing Development

Construction has been completed on the new homes along New York Avenue. The new home at 1933 New York Ave. has been sold. The home at 1945 New York Ave. has also been sold. The Redevelopment Commission has built another new single family home at 1941 New York Ave. The home at 1941 New York Ave. is four bedroom/three bath with a 22’x 24’ garage and landscaping. The commission has priced the home at $177,500. The home has been purposely priced below its appraised value; and the owner can apply for three year tax abatement. The commission will begin building another home at 1939 New York Ave.

This is a good starter home 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 remaining three 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.

New York Avenue Street Reconstruction

The project which addressed new sewers, street paving, and new sidewalk construction from Fischrupp Avenue to 121st Street is 95% complete. New street lights have also been installed. The finishing touches on street signs should be completed soon if not by early Spring.

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Ohio Avenue and 118th Street Water Line Improvement

This project is complete with exception of a few close out items. New curbing was provided where necessary.

Parking Improvement Projects

At the Community Center, angle parking has been completed along Community Court and Clark Street. The island at the intersection of Temple and Community Court has been reconfigured.

The football field parking lot has been completed. The new entry to the parking lot is from 117th Street closing the Center St. entrance. This improvement will also add spaces in the parking lot, and after game traffic will be directed from the lot onto 117th Street rather than through the new Center Street neighborhood.

New Police/Fire Radio System

The project to replace the Police/Fire radio systems is completed. The new system is state of the art and much more reliable than our previous outdated high maintenance system. The system will also have functionality for future needs as we move forward.

Senior Citizen - Empty Nester Housing Development

The construction of Empty-Nester condos could begin as early as July 2007. The developer will be submitting drawings and will begin the process toward petitioning the Plan Commission for a PUD approval. Details and photos to follow soon!

Sewer Improvement Projects

Construction has been completed for new sewers along the alleyway north of the new Walgreen's development and on Temple Court. The new sewers replaced the 100-year old brick sewer that is currently in place. The City's goal is to systematically replace all of the older sewers to insure that a reliable sewer system is maintained long in the future.

Another sewer project completed is in the alley between 119th and Fischrupp in the 1500 block. The improvement installed two new catch basins with direct sewer connections with the grinding and repaving of the alley. The new alley surface will be pitched to prevent the flooding of several properties along the alleyway.

Drainage projects have been completed for the alleys between 120th and West Fred near the Indianapolis Boulevard alley and for the 1200 block of West Fred and 121st Street. Also to be completed with these improvements is the repaving of the alleys for 2600 and 2700 blocks of Schrage and White Oak.

Standard Avenue and Front Street Reconstruction Project

Standard Ave. is completed with the exception of the installation of Street lighting and and landscaping. This will be done beginning this fall. 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. A project this large in scope will create some inconvenience. Truck traffic has been rerouted to Schrage Ave. and the eastern portion of 119th. St.