Laurie Wink, The News-Dispatch
LA PORTE - Former Indiana Gov. Joseph Kernan confirmed Friday he is working as a consultant on the proposed intermodal development in La Porte County.
He's a part-time consultant for Cressy & Everett, the Mishawaka real estate development and management firm that has acquired options to buy land in the Union Mills area.
"I've always believed the best place, the ideal place, is Northwest Indiana," Kernan said. "Its proximity to Chicago and multiple railroad lines that connect to Chicago gives it the opportunity for the right kind of facility to be created."
Kernan became familiar with the concept of intermodals when he served as lieutenant governor with the late Gov. Frank O'Bannon, and as governor when he took over after O'Bannon died in office.
During that time, he helped craft legislation that would enable development of one or more such sites in the state through the Indiana Port Authority.
An intermodal is a railroad yard where goods are loaded and unloaded from train flat cars and trucks for transport by rail and highway. La Porte County is being considered as an intermodal location because three major railroad lines cross the area, and all are near major highways and interstates.
Kernan, who went to high school with the owners of Cressy & Everett, said the intermodal project is still being researched and declined to say whether land near Union Mills has been optioned for the site. But he did say the firm is moving forward on locating an intermodal in La Porte County.
"The first thing we have to do is to make sure we have a project that is viable, that makes sense financially, and we have the support we need from the railroads," said Kernan. "We're continuing to work on what we hope will be a project that will then be able to go through the public process."
Kernan said the concept of intermodals has "picked up traction over the last 10 years." He said that while the intermodal in the former Joliet Arsenal in Illinois has been cited as a model, it is not an exact match to the one being considered by Cressy & Everett.
As Kernan sees it, an intermodal is a strong economic development engine and good source of jobs. And it also reduces tractor-trailer road traffic, he said.
"We're continuing to work on what we hope will be a project that will then be able to go through the public process," Kernan said. "Again, we understand and welcome public involvement."
County commissioners are still forming a 21-member advisory task force to oversee possible developers and sites. Commissioner Bill Hager, D-Michigan City, said members will look at the pros and cons of an intermodal project. The task force will be made up of residents representing different professions and groups, including some who have already spoken against the project.
Commissioners promise an open decision-making process.
County government officials and economic development professionals have denied at public meetings that development of an intermodal is a done deal and that a site has been selected.
The possibility of an intermodal somewhere near Union Mills has created a lot of opposition, especially among those who fear industrial development will gobble up prime farmland and destroy their rural quality of life.
Lane Sonnenberg of Union Mills believes an intermodal would benefit his business, but he is opposed to one near Union Mills. "I love this county and have been here all my life. I don't want to see it ruined."
The Kingsbury Industrial Park, a former World War II military ordnance plant on Hupp Road, has also been mentioned as a possible location. Some 13 businesses are currently located in the park.
One of them is Electro Corp., a general contracting firm. Ryan Jaskiewicz, the owner's son, said, "There's a lot of potential for development out here, but to put in a station here would require a considerable amount of cleanup."
Kingsbury Industrial Park also is home to acres of U.S. Fish and Wildlife property used by sportsmen and, according to county commissioner Mike Bohacek D-Michiana Shores, has an endangered ground squirrel that has taken up residence amid the remnants of grass-covered concrete bunkers.
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