Simplifying connections, developing more year-round attractions and creating a memorable appearance are some of the ways to ensure Michigan City becomes the premier lakefront destination for visitors from Chicago for years to come, according to the Lake Michigan Gateway Implementation Strategy presented by Hitchcock Design Group at City Hall on Wednesday.
“Millions of people make $70,000+ to the west of us and they love beach vacations,” said Rick Hitchcock, president of Hitchcock Design Group. “(Michigan City) has the best lakefront that is close by, in a fabulous market with abundant resources and significant investments in the Outlet Mall, Blue Chip Casino, Washington Park and the downtown area. Visitors make their mind up quickly, so a great first impression is needed.”
Hitchcock presented a number of suggestions that, if implemented, would improve the aesthetic presence of Michigan City by leaps and bounds, from the south end at the Interstate 94/Highway 421 corridor to the far north at Washington Park.
Washington Park, which Hitchcock called the city’s “greatest asset,” could be made even greater with the addition of year-round attractions such as an adventure park with a zip line, rope course and alpine wall. On the far western edge of the park near Trail Creek, the land that Hitchcock says is “underutilized” would be a prime spot for a hotel, and thus, “bringing the entertainment district north to Washington Park.”
Connecting the current downtown area to the park is also a must, the study suggests.
“We think Franklin (Street) should be extended to Route 12 and 12 should be walk-able,” Hitchcock said. “Second Street should be a thriving area. Restore the grid with two-way traffic and develop more intersections to get to the lake around the library.”
The library, which has blocked Franklin Street from extending to Washington Park and Lake Michigan since the early 1970s, cannot be moved by any outside entity since it is a governing body in its own. Hitchcock said that should not hinder the connectivity plan so long as existing structures just north of the library like the police station, City Hall and News-Dispatch building are replaced by a more enticing area that creates walkways around the library with trees and greenery mixed in.
New developments such as possibly medical offices or restaurants at the current City Hall and News-Dispatch sites could be separated by a wide, pedestrian inviting walkway with trees.
“You have an amazing opportunity to connect the lakefront to downtown,” Hitchcock said. “This plan energizes 12, re-energizes Franklin and connects to Trail Creek as well. Imagine if Second Street was an area for bikers or walkers instead of a chunk of asphalt.”
Also included in the plan is enhanced streetscape and converting Washington and Pine streets to two-way traffic with parallel parking on both sides. Franklin Street between 4th and 9th streets, known as “Franklin Square,” would also become a two-way fare as part of the strategy.
Improving all gateways to the city was also a vital part of the presentation, with an idea of a “1950s motel” theme with the words “Welcome to Michigan City” enticing visitors from the west on U.S. 12 and a “Michigan City” script across the 421 bridge for visitors from Interstate 94 similar to the existing one on Indiana-49 for visitors entering Valparaiso.
On the north side of the library, the strategy suggests constructing 12 huge letters that will say MICHIGAN CITY, something that has been shown to attract tourists to take photographs. An arch indicating the same letters was suggested for 11th and Franklin streets when visitors enter downtown similar to the one in Dixon, Illinois.
North of U.S. 12, plans are for one lane of traffic in each direction with parking on each side.
“If you see cars parked on the streets, it is a sign of an inviting place,” Hitchcock said.
For visitors to the Blue Chip Casino, Hitchcock suggested beginning a trolley service from there to the Lighthouse Outlet Mall so visitors could leave their vehicles at the Casino and enjoy the entire area either on foot or via a trolley.
A three-year financial plan with estimates of $5.5 million in 2014, $13.1 million in 2015 and $3.3 million in 2016 would be able to make the strategy’s vision a reality at a total cost of $22,366,000.
Hitchcock said having property owners, the Redevelopment Commission, city officials and the City Council on the same page in support of the strategy would help secure grants to offset much of the costs involved with implementing some or all of the stages of the strategy.
“In order to be successful at getting grants, this needs to be part of a bigger master plan,” he said. “It is really important to get everyone on the same page to get investors in the area. It will be hard work, but in the end well worth the aggravation.”
Following the presentation, First Ward Councilman Richard Murphy said that while the $22 million figure may seem a little high, already completed projects (Westcott Park, Michigan Boulevard Beautification and Elston Grove streetscape) add up to around that number and that Hitchcock presented “a roadmap for the best investment and bang for your buck over the next several years.”
Don Babcock, NIPSCO’s economic development chief and member of the city’s Redevelopment Commission, said that while he hopes both the Commission and City Council adopt the gateway strategy, doing so would not mean every detail would need to be in line with what was presented.
Hitchcock agreed, saying “course corrections can be made, but big notions like Washington Park and connecting it to the entertainment district” should be agreed upon.
“This is an area woefully underdeveloped and (currently) doesn’t come close to reaching its potential,” he said.
The strategy is slated to be presented to the Redevelopment Commission on August 25 and the City Council on September 2.