Agenda

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Agenda

• Background Information
• Planning Process
• Project Scope
• Timetable
• Financing Plan
• Benefits
• Questions Answers (45 minutes)
• Plan Commission Public Hearing on Plan

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The Marquette Plan

• Recreational access along the lakeshore
• New trails as close to the lakeshore as possible
• Minimizing private development within 200 feet of
  the shoreline

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The Marquette Plan - Whiting

• Expand Whiting Park
• Improve park access
• Connect Lake George Trail to lakeshore
• Improve shoreline access and natural areas
• Focus on mixed-use development

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Complexity

• Multi-Agency Partnership
• City of Whiting (several agencies)
• City of Hammond (several agencies)
• Lake County Parks Department
• Federal Government - Congressman Visclosky
• BP
• Regional Development Authority (RDA)
• School City of Whiting
• Calumet College of St. Joseph

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Complexity

• Multi-Agency Approval Needed
• Local Boards and Commissions
• Department of Natural Resources
• Army Corps of Engineers
• IDEM
• Indiana Brownfield Program
• 3 Separate Railroads
• Multiple Project Coordination
• Hammond-Whiting Water Project (saved 500K)

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The Planning Process
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The Planning Process

• Plan Commission to consider adopting Lakefront
  Master Plan tonight
• Plan then sent to the City Council for
  consideration
• City to make presentation to the RDA
• Plan Commission to finalize update of the Citys
  Comprehensive Master Plan
• All work funded by an RDA Grant

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Charrette Workshop

• Held July 10 12th 2008 at Calumet College
• Mini planning process condensed into a weekend
• Over 70 attendees attended at least two of the
  three days

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Charrette Workshop Challenges

• 100s of great ideas presented
• Phasing Plan created to allow each idea to be
  considered in Future Phases of Plan
• As funding becomes available, we will continue to
  add amenities and features
• Our largest challenge was to draw the line in the
  sand to determine which ideas were included in
  the final plan

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Goals

• Provide for connectivity for pedestrians,
  bicycles, watercraft and automobile
• Link to the regional multi-use trail network
• Improve upon natural habitat opportunities along
  the shoreline
• Improve human connection to the lakefront through
  better access and amenities
• Preserve the parks history and value to the
  community

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Goals

• Improve upon the park as an economic asset and
  attractor
• Provide for year-around recreational
  opportunities
• Expand opportunities for additional residential
  and commercial development
• Improve connection between the park and 119th St.
• Separate passive recreation with active
  (competitive) recreation

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Long-Range Master Plan
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Preliminary Phase

• Utility Infrastructure
• Water, Sewer, Gas, Power
• Bike Trail George Lake to Front Street
• Public Works Facility relocation
• Baseball Field relocation
• Property Acquisition ROW
• Engineering, Design Permitting

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Preliminary Phase Bike Trail
POCKET PARK TRAIL
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
HAMMOND TRAIL
BRIDGE
WHITING TRAIL
PARK OPPORTUNITY
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Preliminary Phase - Bike Trail
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Phase I Plan
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Phase 1 Highlights

• Replace existing rubble shoreline
• New 2-tiered Boardwalk-Promenade with 4 lookout
  points along shore
• Improve Whihala boat launch harbor
• New City Museum Multi-use facility
• Improve 119th Front Street intersection
• Improve Park Road - Turnaround loop
• Close 117th Street to vehicles Quiet Zone

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Phase 1 Highlights

• Additional walking paths and connections
• Rehabilitate existing park pathways
• Improve Front 117th gateways
• Remove W-R Boat Club harbor
• New concession restroom facility
• Improve Pavilion area concert seating
• Renovate Gun Club building
• New parking areas

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Phase 1 Highlights

• Standard Diamonds improvements
• Playground expansion improvements
• Improve 117th and Oliver intersection
• Major landscaping, lighting, signage and
  communications service improvements
• Lakefront Gazebo entertainment venue
• 200 permanent fishing pier
• Extend Front Street trail to Park

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Promenade Gazebo
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Gazebo
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View Towards Chicago Skyline
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Phase II Plan
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Phase 2 Highlights

• Eastside lake fill restoration project natural
  beach and dune habitat area
• Enhance gathering places along lakeshore
• Formal Garden near the new Gazebo
• Activity Centers Bean Bags, Bocce Ball, Picnic
  Shelters, etc.
• Whihala Boat Launch parking enhancements
• Pavilion enhancements

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Picnic Shelters
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Future Phases of the Plan
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Future Phase Highlights

• Not included in current Financing Plan
• Expanded Playgrounds - Splash Pad
• Extend Park Road to the south side of Park
• Pedestrian Bridge
• Additional Park Buildings
• Ice Rink
• Boat Harbor Memorial Park
• Marina???

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Year-around Activities
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Timetable

• Preliminary Phase underway
• Phase 1 Spring 2010 through 2011
• Phase 2 Spring 2010 through 2012?
• Future Phase As funds become available

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Financing Plan

• Largest Project in Citys History
• Final Project Scope to be determined by financing
  (RDA grant)
• Total Scope as presented 45 MILLION
• No residential property tax funding needed
• Budget dilemma
• Property tax budget under extreme pressure
• Cant pass up the opportunity to leverage grant
  money to make these improvements

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Why is this Project Important?

• Stimulates investment and new tax base
• Greatly enhances our Quality of Life
• Significant Regional Importance
• Positive Impact to Property Values
• Environmental Restoration
• Sets the Table for Future Clean BP Development
  Opportunities

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Financing Plan

• Project Funding Sources
• 3,475,000 Federal Grants
• 2,600,000 RDA Bike Trail Planning Grant
• 2,350,000 BP Foundation Grant
• 1,000,000 Miscellaneous Grants
• 1,000,000 TIF Reserves
• ??? RDA Implementation Grant
• ??? TIF Bonds

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Intangible Benefits

• Increase in Fees are expected to offset
  additional operational costs
• Minimal impact to the Citys Budget
• Debt service or Operations
• Quiet Zone improvements Priceless
• Enhanced Retail Business Climate
• Secondary Development Opportunities

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Secondary Development

• Residential Growth
• New Condominiums
• 117th Street
• Senior Condos
• Existing Housing Inventory investment
• Commercial Growth
• Season Opportunities
• Hotel?
• BP Opportunities

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Mixed-use and Townhomes
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Closing

• Why Did We Delay the Plan Release?
• Very Complex Project
• I needed to be confident that
• The scope was realistic and doable
• The Funding Plan was solid
• That we maximized our grant opportunities
• That we didnt hinder the BP OCC Project
• We needed to get it right, the first time
• We are now ready to pull the trigger
• Thank American Structurepoint Staff - Boards

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QA

• Questions and Answers?