Marquette Plan and Marquette Park
via [ Gary Post ] “Marquette Uplift Seen as Boon” by Jon Seidel
GARY — A two-year plan to revitalize Marquette Park will increase property values, create new tax revenue and improve the overall quality of life in the Miller area, a consultant promised residents Friday.
Joel Baldin of Illinois-based Hitchcock Design Group outlined the 12 highlights of the project during a kick-off celebration at the Marquette Park Pavilion. Baldin said his company wants to help improve access to the park, build sustainable features and make it more visible.
“It’s a destination along the lakefront,” he said. “We want it to be convenient.”
The features of Marquette Park that will be emphasized in the Lakefront East initiative are the pavilion, Gary Aquatorium, playground, Father Marquette statue and monument, Lake Street Beach, the armory, lagoon, parking facilities, infrastructure, natural areas and the shoreline and beach.
Baldin also said his firm wants to focus on capital improvements and management of the park, considering the creation of public/private partnerships, a park advisory group and a volunteer and stewardship plan.
Christopher Meyers, Gary’s director of planning, said the promises of improved property values and quality of life are based on the results of the city’s comprehensive plan.
The Marquette East project is funded by a $28 million grant from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Implementation of the plan is expected to begin next year, with construction complete by the end of 2011.
The RDA’s Bill Hanna called the Lakefront East initiative the kind of long-term, significant project his agency aims to fund. And he said the RDA can’t take credit for it.
“This has been the vision of the city,” Hanna said.
Hitchcock Design Corp. entered into a contract worth $381,500 with the city to help prepare a master plan for the first phase of the work. That contract is funded by the RDA grant.
Subcontractors on the project include BauerLatoza Studio, Goodman Williams Group, DLZ, JFNew and PROS Consulting.
Meyers said a 25-member board will oversee the money spent on the project. Its members include members of the Gary Park Board, Miller Citizens Corp., Miller Business Association, Save the Dunes Council, Chanute Aquatorium Society, and staff of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Steel and South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.
Meyers, Gary Park Superintendent Caren Jones, Director of Environmental Affairs Doreen Carey and city economic adviser Joel Rodriguez will also serve on the board, along with City Council member Marilyn Krusas, D-1st.
Baldin said his firm will conduct one-on-one meetings with stakeholders and members of the public on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, at the pavilion. Public comment meetings are tentatively scheduled for Jan. 23, and March 6.
