George Rogge, a Miller resident, speaks at the Gary Redevelopment Commission meeting
Zero response to Lake Street Beach Redevelopment
Contributed By:The 411 News
Miller residents pleased by lack of interest
Applause, sighs of astonishment, and cheers were heard from a larger than usual attendance at the Gary Redevelopment Commission’s last meeting. It was the day for the opening of bids for the Lake Street Beach Redevelopment proposal, sometimes called the 860 North Lake Street RFP.
Commission president Kenya Jones had just announced no developer had submitted a response to its request for proposals.
Some of the cheers came from the Miller residents who had packed the meeting, expecting to hear how much money developers were pledging to transform the 24 acres at 860 N. Lake to lure tourists and help grow Gary’s economy.
But it was what Commission Attorney Gilbert King said next that dampened the spirits of some. “State statues say the RFP must remain open for 30 days. After that time, the Redevelopment Commission can enter into an agreement with the highest, most responsible bidder for the property.”
The RFP called for a minimum $4.25 million bid for the 24 acres at 860 N. Lake that includes the former Naval Armory and its surrounding acreage. The building was last home to the Charter School of the Dunes.
If developers had submitted offers, Wednesday’s bid opening meeting would have marked the end of a process begun more than 2 years ago when the city designated districts in its master plan that were in need of redevelopment.
Real estate developers were invited to offer their ideas to redevelop Lake Street, from the South Shore Railway Line to the beach; the Glen Park area between Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana University Northwest; the city’s Emerson, Horace Mann and downtown neighborhoods; and the industrial district along east Highway 20 from Lake Street to County Line Road.
In March 2017, teams of developers came to Gary and presented their solutions. By late Fall of that year, Meridian Hospitality Group, one of the presenters showed interest in the Lake Street district.
And it turned out to be the only developer pursuing redevelopment projects. Meridian signed an agreement with the commission to study the feasibility of its plans to bring a hotel and other amenities like restaurants, entertainment, recreation, and retail activities to the area.
In July 2018, Meridian returned to the commission saying its pre-planning was not complete and it was engaging with Miller residents on its redevelopment plans.
Dorreen Carey, a Miller resident and former director of Gary’s Dept. of Environmental Affairs said Meridian presented a plan to redevelop a 90 acre site along the Lake Michigan shoreline, stretching east from the Naval Armory to Indian Boundary Road.
Within that area is the Marquette Park beachfront. Carey said the park is a natural buffer, protecting residential areas from rising Lake Michigan water levels. “Any development along the park’s beachfront would lead to erosion. Look at what is happening at the Portage lakefront park.”
The observation deck at the Portage Lakefront and River Walk collapsed from erosion last year and remains closed. Portage opened the park in 2009.
Opposition to Meridian’s plan by Miller residents and Save the Dunes led to the redevelopment site’s reduction to the 24 acres around the Naval Armory. Carey believes Meridian abandoned the project because it was too small “… not enough in it for them.”
AJ Bytnar, Gary’s Redevelopment Director said the commission still welcomes proposals for parts or the entire site at 860 N. Lake.
Story Posted:06/22/2019
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