Winter-2006

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85001_GVCC_Mag.qxd 1/13/06 9:11 AM Page 16 Ask An Expert This new column provides expert answers to your business questions. If you would like to submit questions, please either email them with the subject line “Ask the Expert,” to info@valparaisochamber.org or mail them to Valparaiso Magazine (162 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383). Questions answered by Stu Summers and the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission. 1) Earlier this year, when improvements were made to LaPorte, why wasn't the section of LaPorte in front of Culvers and Dairy Queen widened to include a center turn lane so that vehicles making a turn from the opposite sides of the street could safely turn into Culvers or Dairy Queen without holding up traffic? The portion of LaPorte Avenue from Culvers west to Sturdy is part of the roundabout project. Design for the roundabout was completed in the Fall of 2005. The Indiana Department of Transportation will review and approve the plans this winter. Some right of way will need to be acquired for the roundabout. Later this winter or in early Spring 2006, we hope to take bids on constructing the roundabout, for completion in late fall of 2006. New turning movements and pathways will be part of the roundabout project. 2) What will happen with the building that used to house Century 21 Estates in the middle of the proposed roundabout? Expert Answers To Your Business Questions The Redevelopment Commission bought the triangle building last year to make room for the roundabout connecting south Sturdy Road with Lincolnway and LaPorte Avenues. The building is one of the better looking structures in the neighborhood and the primary plan is to relocate the building to another site in the East Gate area. Engineers for Greg Engstrom are reviewing the feasibility of moving the building to a vacant parcel on Chicago Street directly north of Engstrom’s Ameripawn. If the building cannot be recycled for another use, it will be stripped and demolished to make way for the roundabout. 3) What will happen to the land where the old Red Hots and Larry Miller Glass used to be located? After the roundabout is completed in late 2006, the excess land (about one acre) will be sold to the highest and best bidder. The land is zoned commercial. 4) What is going to be developed on the empty lot at the corner of Lincolnway and Campbell? The parcel is outside of the Redevelopment area. City Economic Development Director Charles McGill reports the Langer & Langer law firm purchased the property and is planning on making a substantial investment in a new building for their practice. 5) What is the difference between redevelopment and economic development? Both economic development and redevelopment serve two basic purposes: To grow the tax base of the community while reducing the demand for expensive governmental services. For example, when a new employer comes to town and builds a building, property taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes to state and Redevelopment Commission Meets local governments go up, while the need for welfare, unemployment assistance, and public protection services go down because of the new jobs and increased employment. Redevelopment is a subset of economic development and involves numerous governmental tools needed to address the special challenges and difficulties facing previously developed areas. In Valparaiso, this typically means the extension or rebuilding of roads, pathways, and utilities to make way for new economic and community development projects. Continued on page 18 16 Valpo Magazine Winter 2006 ww
for lic the ic us cial sly lly ds, co- . 85001_GVCC_Mag.qxd 1/13/06 9:11 AM Page 17 s en ? elow ing tal yer rty nd Valpopourri • 77% of Valparaiso Chamber members rate this magazine as “valuable.” • 40.8% of Valparaiso Chamber members think our gift certificate program is valuable. • Almost 52% of our members take advantage of “Business After Hours” events. 06 www.connecttovalpo.com 17
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Winter-2006

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