Valparaiso station concept gets double endorsement

VALPARAISO | At the end of the proposed South Shore commuter line, passengers could find themselves in the midst of two stations, up to 750 parking spaces, up to 300 residential units and a mix of office and retail uses.

And maybe a dog park.

At a Tuesday joint meeting of the city's Redevelopment Commission and the Plan Commission, the concept for a transit oriented development around the proposed station was presented by Christopher Lannert, of the Lannert Group, of Geneva, Ill. The plan encompasses 73 acres on the south side of Lincolnway between Joliet Road and Napoleon Street.

Both boards decided to endorse the proposal and send it to the City Council for consideration.

"All we've identified is the things you have to do to move the project forward," Lannert said. "What final form it will take will be a product of a bunch of negotiations."

The concept is developed around the site of the previous Amtrak commuter station and involves the construction of several new roads to facilitate development and provide quick and easy access to and from the stations. A station is proposed on each side of the tracks, each designed to reflect the style of the old station.

In early presentations to both groups, Lannert proposed extending Wayne Street into the station parking area. On Tuesday, the concept called for the possible relocation of Campbell Street to the middle of the block between Wayne and where Campbell now intersects with Lincolnway.

Lannert said that would be the ideal location because of the slope of the terrain. Campbell then would be extended south around what is now a gravel stockpile and eventually connect to the southern portion of Campbell. Another road would go west to connect with Joliet, and it is proposed that Napoleon end at the railroad tracks and Brown Street connect Campbell with Lafayette Street.

The development would be done in tiers because of the dramatic drops between Lincolnway and U.S. 30. A series of townhomes along the proposed road to Joliet would serve as the retaining wall for a 40-foot drop that would overlook a 10-acre wetlands area for handling stormwater.

Trails and a dog park are among the ideas being considered for the area. The city hopes to work with the property owners to form partnerships to carry out the plan and use the overall concept not only as a guide but as a way of attracting the federal funding needed to extend the South Shore service to downtown Valparaiso.

Lannert said all the project needs to become viable is the 11 acres proposed for the stations and the parking along with some commercial use. The city already owns 4 acres and owns another 11 acres in two parcels that could be developed by the city or used to trade to get the other seven needed for the parking.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal before acting on it.