Michigan City seeks ideas for next big downtown development
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With several major mixed-use development projects under construction, officials in Michigan City are turning their attention to a site for the city’s next big project.
The city has issued a request for proposals from developers to purchase and develop an eight-acre site in the core of the city’s downtown, located at the corner of 5th and Pine streets.
In the RFP, the city said it is seeking ideas that could have a mix of residential, retail and restaurant space, as well as grocery, hospitality and green space elements.
The RFP for the 5th and Pine project is looking for projects that can “serve downtown needs/deficiencies and transform them into an economic, jobs and activity generator for the city, the surrounding community and region.”
Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said the 5th and Pine site is an important link among the Franklin Street Historic Commercial Corridor, the city’s Uptown Arts District, future waterfront development and the Blue Chip Casino.
The parcel is split into three properties, one of which includes the former Memorial Hospital site, and the RFP says the city is open to concepts that join the parcels in various configurations.
“The redevelopment site is also within walking distance of the new 11th Street Station, bringing enhanced rail service, transit-oriented development, tourism and connectivity to Chicago and the Northwest Indiana Region,” the mayor said in a news release.
The city’s efforts to date have generated some $450 million in public and private investment, including the $280 million SoLa project, for which construction began last September. The project includes two hotels, as well as residential and retail space.
Work is also underway on the $101 million development known as The Franklin at 11th Street Station, which will include 220 market-rate apartments and 5,600 square feet of commercial space.
“Leveraging the momentum of the recent investment of $450 million in private and public dollars in Michigan City and prime adjacency to downtown’s biggest assets and anchors, this property is a truly unique opportunity to enhance the resident, visitor and investor experience,” the mayor said.
Michigan City’s efforts are largely a response to the South Shore Double Track project, which will run a second line of train track nearly 17 miles between Gary and Michigan City. The project is slated for completion later this month.
In September, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority CEO Sherri Ziller told Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick that the efforts are all part of a region revitalization.
“Michigan City is poised for development,” Ziller said. “It’s been very encouraging to watch them and other communities really take advantage of the realignment and expansion of the rail projects and all the development that’s coming along with that here in northwest Indiana.”
The city is set to host a developer pre-proposal session on May 14, where potential developers can tour the site area and receive additional details on the RFP. You can learn more about the session and view the RFP by clicking here.