North end could be "choice area", Andrews North End Plan discussion |
North end could be "choice area", Andrews North End Plan discussion |
Jan 17 2008, 08:07 AM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,460 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=32796.78
QUOTE Oberlie: North End Can Be 'Choice' Area Jason Miller The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - In his annual state-of-the-city address last week, Mayor Chuck Oberlie outlined his fast-track plans for the city's North End in hopes that after the first quarter of 2008, the engine of change will be humming. Saying the area isn't pedestrian friendly or visually pleasing, he hopes the results of three studies laying out possibilities for the North End turn the area - through a unified vision - into the city's "neighborhood of choice." "The beauty of it all is that I outlined 21 different projects, and all of them will be moving forward as of (Thursday)," he said. "And they can all move forward without hurting the others." Oberlie also released a small portfolio featuring a few ideas for North End redevelopment gleaned from three studies the city has commissioned in the last two years. The most visually striking of the ideas is a large residential and commercial area along Trail Creek which, in theory, would include three large high-rise buildings just across the creek from Blue Chip Casino. Oberlie's thoughts are that developing the Trail Creek Corridor from Eighth Street to Washington Park would turn the city's North End into the crown jewel of the city. His hopes aren't without precedent. Although its size pales in comparison to that of Michigan City, the town of Saugatuck, Mich., benefits greatly from a developed Kalamazoo River, which houses not only hundreds of private boat slips, but residences, shops and restaurants like those Oberlie envisions for Trail Creek. "Our boating industry is a huge element of our success, if not the lifeblood of our town," second-term Saugatuck Mayor Tony Vettori said Friday. "And it's all due to the fact that there's so much to do right along the river. It brings in boaters and non-boaters." Like Michigan City, Saugatuck features a river that leads to a large, heavily used beach and the waters of Lake Michigan. Vettori said the beach benefits from the downtown river scene, just as the downtown benefits from the beach and Lake Michigan. "We've become an art destination and a shopping destination. And Oval Beach is rated one of the top 10 beaches in the country," Vettori said. "The water is all a part of what draws people here, and I'd think it would have the same effect in Michigan City." |
Jan 22 2008, 11:16 AM
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Really Comfortable Group: Moderator Posts: 2,315 Joined: 10-February 07 From: Michigan City Member No.: 43 |
How quickly we forget what we've said in the past, MCStumper.
These are quotes from you regarding the North End plan that Joie presented during her campaign: QUOTE mcstumper Apr 10 2007, 06:38 PM | Post #3| I like this plan. Library and City Hall relocation is a key element in restoring steady traffic flows on north Franklin St. and helping restore viability to the store fronts there. However, I have to question the timing. I think this is the wrong time to address this plan. We need to focus on acquiring the Blocksom property and then developing a plan for redeveloping the Trail Creek corridor that the community can get behind. One big project at a time, with succinctness and focus. QUOTE mcstumper Apr 11 2007, 07:55 PM I think that 2-3 years is unrealistic. If the Blocksom negotiations are going as well as Michael B. indicates, I think that we need to focus our energy on that project and get it pushed through. The library needs to be moved, but the million dollar question is "to where"? You think there is a lot of 'talk' about the Blocksom, Icehouse, Weber sign properties?! The public input process on where to locate the library and the design of the new building could take 2 1/2 years all by itself. You seemed to have liked her ideas then...what changed for you? By the way, she's not even part of the redevelopment commission anymore. She wasn't reappointed this year (or did you miss that when it happened a few months ago?) Leave her out of it. Roger's post had more to do with private developers monopolizing the lakefront and restricting public access than anything else. |
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