EAST CHICAGO A station area with stable neighborhoods, a main commercial corridor, and large industrial tracks could see new opportunities for mixed-use, corridor-focused development, and industrial repositioning. Introduction While the East Chicago station is not being rebuilt as part of the Double Track project, the Indianapolis Boulevard corridor between Michigan/Carroll Street and Chicago Street has opportunities for corridor-oriented development. Significant light industrial and employment growth are anticipated in this area. Environmental barriers exist (including a Superfund site just outside of the TDD), but much of the industrial land use will remain. City leadership has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate on a plan to revitalize this portion of the community. Much of the city’s previous planning has focused on creating parkland around the Grand Calumet River and marsh north of the station; activating some sites for new commercial, residential, and employment uses; and maintaining a stable Roxana Neighborhood. The city’s zoning ordinance is largely focused on industrial land uses and does not contemplate TOD. Corridor planning and corresponding land use and zoning updates could help realize opportunities between the station and Chicago Street along Indianapolis Boulevard. City Economic Goals: • Attracting developers, new businesses and employers to East Chicago • Aggressively enhancing the city’s profile • Highlighting available resources such as water, power, transportation and technology infrastructure, as well as the city’s attractive financial incentives • Manage local revitalization projects and redevelopment ventures • Work to retain and expand existing business • Accelerate the growth of business within city
26 • Northwest Indiana Transit Development Districts
Population Change
Relevant Planning: RDA TDD boundaries (ongoing), Roxana TOD Plan (2016), NWIN RDA Comprehensive Strategic Plan (2016), A Vision for East Chicago (2014), Comprehensive Plan (2008), Zoning Ordinance (1998 as amended) Zoning Ordinance Overview: The zoning ordinance dated 1998 but amended subsequently is an older style text ordinance that does not contemplate TOD in the vicinity of the East Chicago area or the redevelopment of the corridors that the district may include. This code permits heavy industry along Indianapolis Boulevard which is something the city no longer wants in the area. Instead, the city wants to attract logistics, warehouse, and light manufacturing to a few large sites and focus on improving this key gateway into the city with diverse, community-serving development such as a mix of residential and neighborhood commercial. City officials indicated the code is in need of updating. A corridor overlay focusing on Indianapolis Boulevard from the station and Roxana Neighborhood up to City Hall may encourage this corridor to redevelop to maximize walkability to transit.
Northside/Downtown Concept - Comprehensive Plan (2008)
Public Engagement: To kick off the study of the East Chicago TDD station area, a community bus tour and leadership work session were held in March 2020. An “On-YourOwn Gallery” made information available to the public to access and review throughout November and December 2020. In February 2021, a virtual public engagement session was held via Zoom video conferencing and Facebook live, and 22 community members attended the session. The session was also posted to YouTube, which received 110 views. Materials from this engagement session were also posted to the project website. Roxana and Southside Concept - Comprehensive Plan (2008)
What do you think are the top three economic development opportunities for the future East Chicago station area and TDD?
1
More businesses, restaurants, and things to do Attracting new people to my community to work, live, and visit
2
Efficient access to the South Shore rail into Chicago A neighborhood-centered place around this station
A Vision for East Chicago (2014)
Proposed boundary presented to the public with public and community leadership input.
South Shore Double Track • 27
Boundary Strategy
Vacant, Underutilized and Publicly-owned Land Public entities own many properties along the Grand Calumet River near the proposed station, including the Roxana Marsh and several smaller properties along Chicago Avenue. A large amount of land along the Grand Calumet River near Kennedy Avenue is vacant or underutilized. Much of the vacant property nearest the station is undevelopable due to floodplain/floodway status and utility usage.
Due Diligence: Floodplain
Indianapolis Blvd
Chicago Ave
Carroll St
Due Diligence: TIF District Chicago Ave Indianapolis Blvd
Land Use Existing land use patterns can inform opportunities for future investment that is compatible and complementary for the community. The Grand Calumet River floodplain impacts small portions of riverfront property to the north of the proposed East Chicago station. Major community anchors for the East Chicago station area included City Hall and Veterans Park, East Chicago Public Library, Roxana Marsh, and several community parks. Major commercial corridors exist along Carroll Street, Indianapolis Boulevard, and Chicago Avenue. Residential areas consist of tighter, urban residential neighborhoods surrounding the major commercial including the Southside, Roxana, and Calumet neighborhoods. Several large-footprint industrial areas are clustered around the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal, including a few scrap metal facilities. In addition, the presence of railroads in the community prompted industrial development along these railways to the north of the station area.
Carroll St
Carroll St
Land Use: Community Anchors, Commercial, Residential, and Industrial Chicago Ave Indianapolis Blvd
Due Diligence The analysis required for creating the boundary focused on floodplains and flood zones; land use patterns, including community anchors (destinations such as schools, parks, city halls, churches, etc.), commercial areas and corridors, residential neighborhoods near these places of activity, agricultural or preserved land, industrial land, and vacant or underutilized and publicly-owned land; TIF Districts and Opportunity Zone boundaries; and previous planned areas or other areas of interest identified by the city. Locating land uses and destinations in the station area provides a sense of where generators of economic activity, community gathering, and employment opportunities currently exist in the community. Locating vacant or underutilized and publicly-owned land and other areas of interest helps identify sites that may have a low barrier to redevelopment or have already been considered for redevelopment by the city and suggest where future development and investment could occur.
Indianapolis Blvd
Chicago Ave
City Plans and Areas of Interest
Carroll St
Vacant and Publicly-owned Chicago Ave Indianapolis Blvd
Key infill development sites were identified in the East Chicago Comprehensive Plan (completed 2008) that include underutilized land in the Southside neighborhood, commercial frontage along Carroll Street and Indianapolis Boulevard in the Roxana neighborhoods, and underutilized land near Railroad Avenue in the Northside neighborhood. Riverfront park space was also envisioned for underutilized riverfront property near Kennedy Avenue in the “A Vision for East Chicago” plan (completed 2014).
Carroll St
Station
Residential
Vacant / Underutilized
Flood
Commercial
Publicly-owned
TIF District
Industrial
Previously Planned
Anchors
Agricultural
Areas of Interest
28 • Northwest Indiana Transit Development Districts
City Plans and Areas of Interest
EAST CHICAGO
HAMMOND
W Columbus Drive
145th St
Euclid Ave
Kennedy Ave
City Hall and Veterans Park
Gostlin St
Chicago Ave
Chicago Ave 90
Railroad Ave
Indianapolis Blvd
White Oak Ave
Riley Park
150th St
Kosciuszko Park
151st St Gr m et Calu
nS
East Chicago South Shore Station
t
er
v
iga
Ri
ch
Kennedy Ave
d an
Mi
Roxana Marsh
EAS T HAM CHICA G MO ND O
90
Carrol St
Roxana Park and Recreation Center
TOTAL ACRES: 298.7 ACRES
Boundary Summary The resulting TDD boundary for the East Chicago TDD station area focuses on three future investment strategies: Industrial Repositioning, Corridor, and Mixed-Use Town Center. Industrial land along the Indiana Harbor Canal that is underutilized could be rethought into light industrial or employment uses to continue generating jobs for the community. The Indianapolis Boulevard corridor presents many infill opportunities for commercial development. The major intersection of Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue could be enhanced by a mix of uses to bring additional activity to the area.
INDUSTRIAL REPOSITIONING
CORRIDOR
South Shore Double Track
MIXED-USE TOWN CENTER
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