Winter-2006

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Balancing Growth and Creating a
Unified Dynamic Image for the City
This article is the first in a series in which
Valparaiso Magazine will examine the role
redevelopment plays in the growth of a
community. In upcoming issues we will more
thoroughly explore specific redevelopment
projects, examine the human side of the story
and what happens when your business is
targeted for relocation, and envision what Valpo
might look like in 25 years.
“Build it and they will come,” goes the old
adage, and it doesn’t take a particularly astute
observer of the city of Valparaiso to
understand the veracity of that statement.
Here is a community that exudes charm, that
teems with friendly people, that is ideally
located, that has a wonderful school system,
that possesses a vibrant collegiate culture, that
is clean and safe and dynamic, that . . . well
the list goes on and on. So, it shouldn’t be
surprising that those things that keep people
Redevelopment Commission President
Mike Baird reviews concepts for Eastgate
with interested parties.
here also attract others looking for the
same values and amenities. That’s how
communities grow and, quite simply, a
healthy city is a growing city – but only if
growth is planned and controlled.
“Managing growth is complex. It takes a
clear vision, innovation, and collaboration,”
says Chamber and VEDC President Deb
Butterfield. “You need great ideas, but you
also have to be realistic about what it takes to
implement change. Every time we need to
expand a road because of increased traffic
flow, we have to call NIPSCO to move poles
and utilities. You don’t want to do that more
than once.”
Today systemic and logical growth hinges
on two concepts: development and redevelopment.
The former focuses on moving
the boundaries of a community outward and
converting green fields to business or
industrial centers. The latter involves using
resources already in place to redesign, redefine
and reenergize existing sites to create new
opportunities. Each plays a vital and viable
role, and the challenge is striking the balance
between these two separate, but related,
engines of progress.
Redevelopment was initially created as a
remedy for urban deterioration. It provides
ideas and resources for renewing areas
devastated by the loss of industries and
commercial businesses. It is a way to reclaim
abandoned buildings and brownfields left in
the wake of business relocations and/or urban
sprawl that takes vital retail shoppers out of
downtown areas to malls often located on the
outskirts of town.
Redevelopment identifies specific projects
and then creates resources to revitalize the
sites, create jobs, attract new businesses, and
revitalize the business climate. Funds are
raised through the sale of bonds or tax
increment financing (TIF) which diverts
tax revenues from increased assessed valuation
to the redevelopment agency. Local redevelopment
agencies also have the power of
eminent domain to “condemn” property if
necessary to facilitate renewal.
“Redevelopment is very significant
because it shows that we highly value what we
currently have in place and that we are willing
to reinvest and take care of it,” says Mayor Jon
Costas. “The worst thing you can do to a city
is to let existing residential and commercial
areas deteriorate.”
He points out that redevelopment is a
broadly encompassing concept that spans the
spectrum from “simple” infrastructure
improvements to visionary strategic planning
that literally changes the environment and
character of a city. “We have to think about
the impact of our ideas for the long term. We
have to imagine a city even better than the
one we live in today and then make it
happen,” he says. “Short term thinking just
won’t work.”
“(Redevelopment) keeps the heart and
soul of the city intact. It’s a less expensive way
to serve the city’s needs through existing
infrastructure,” explains Stu Summers,
Executive Director of the Valparaiso
06 www.connecttovalpo.com
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