Lake Michigan waterfront development bill finds bipartisan support in Indiana House, Senate; second reading expected Monday

Carrie Napoleon, Correspondent, (Merrillville) Post-Tribune

Thursday, April 8, 2021 12:02 PM

Gary and other lakefront municipalities are one step closer to accessing a tool designed to encourage development along Lake Michigan.

Gary Deputy Mayor Trent A. McCain addressed the Public Policy Committee of the Indiana Senate Wednesday in support of the Lakefront Development bill, which passed 10-0 out of committee.

The bill, which also saw bipartisan support in the House, was authored by State Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, and co-sponsored by democratic Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, and Sen. Ed. Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso.

The bill, which promotes lakefront development projects and removes the requirement from existing legislation that the development project area contain an oil refinery and that the project be funded in part by local, state and federal dollars passed out of the House 95-2 in February.

“We are happy about it,” McCain said. The bill will be heard for a second reading by the full Senate on Monday. If approved, it would go for a third and final reading possibly as early as Tuesday. If there are any amendments added at the last minute, the bill would go back for reconciliation before the House and Senate committees before a final vote.

McCain said so far the bill has received bipartisan support. He said Charbonneau was present in chambers Wednesday to stand by the administration’s side.

Whiting was the first city to benefit from the legislation in its efforts to revitalize its lakefront area. By removing the existing requirements, the legislation, which creates six new liquor licenses, can be used by communities like Gary, East Chicago and Hammond to spur development in areas near the Lake Michigan shore.

This paves the way for developers to funnel money into development projects. Officials have said the goal is encourage development of areas with restaurants, recreational activities and housing. Development will not occur on the actual beach.

“If it is successfully signed into law, the Prince Administration is sure that it will garner a great deal of interest,” McCain said.

Harris previously has said the bill is one of his priorities for the 2021 legislative session.

“Economic development is always one of my top priorities, but even more so in budget years,” Harris said when the measure passed the House.

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