MICHIGAN CITY, IN - Development Thread

[Siriusly]

I need help from you more experienced building aficionados who can estimate heights and scale. I'm sorry but this blurry photo is all that I have. This is a new hospital going up in my second hometown Michigan City, Indiana.


Can anyone get a close to accurate floor count or height from this photo? It's exciting times for Michigan city who is going through a little boom and making major investments in infrastructure and trying to attract a major university. There is still plans to build 3 24 story condo towers next to the Blue Chip Casino Tower which is 284 ft. A market feasibility study has stifled the project but they are hoping to move forward in the right climate.

[the urban politician]

^ Whats with all these drive by assessments of yours?

Anyhow, I had no idea Michigan City was booming this much

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Whats with all these drive by assessments of yours?

Anyhow, I had no idea Michigan City was booming this much

lol.....And ya, Michigan City is under a major 10 year revitalization plan to become the premier Indiana Lakefront destination and has goals to even become a national gem.

For anyone with ties or any interest in Michigan City or Northwest Indiana in general here is a brief rundown of some of the projects going on in Michigan City.


Michigan City is under a major boom right now and has developed a plan called the "Lake Michigan Gateway Implementation Strategy" which has used Lohan Andersen, Hitchcock Design Group, Perkins + Will, Andrews University and a few other developers and design groups to come up with a complete master-plan for the entire city, the lake front and it's outskirts.


The St. Anthony's Holding Company recently purchased 79 acres off of Highway 94 and this hospital is their initial $200 million investment which will make it the tallest hospital in Northwest Indiana and the Blue Chip tower is already I believe the tallest building outside of Chicago proper in all of Chicagoland or maybe hotel. In the future they plan to build more medical centers, treatment facilities and hotels/restaurants surrounding this main building.


Here is a rendering of the Michigan City Brewery site that Lohan Andersen designed that's finally underway and is starting construction this year. They are converting it into a high-end hotel and condos I believe.








Near the Casino on Michigan Blvd. and right down from the above brewery project the Michigan City Police department is building a new $15 million police Headquarters that's probably 70% completed and looks remarkable compared to what they previously had.




Further east off of the 94 exit down from the new hospital site there is a new "LifeWorks Business Park" under development which has just built a new Hilton Garden Inn and a couple medical offices so far. It's a 40 acre site with 16 pods with plans to build a 100,000 sq. ft. field house which will be amazing for the city.


The Nipsco Power Plant just added a new $250 million scrubber which is close to 200 feet tall.


The master-plan calls for aerial trams to connect the lake to the casino to the Light House Mall that they call the "Diamond Triangle" which allegedly attracts 10 million visitors annually which I find almost impossible to believe.


The South Shore/NICTD is investing hundreds of millions to build new stations, realign the tracks and update their systems.

They are redeveloping the entire north end of the city where downtown is located. It has been designated the "Arts District" and "Artspace" is renovating the old 8 story Warren Building for $17 million to build lofts to house national artists looking for housing and I believe there will be 70-80 units plus public space for galleries and educational purposes. It looks amazing so far. The building was completely dilapidated for decades as you see in Gary, In.





I know of a plan that fell through a year ago with a Chicago developer who planned to build a 13 story S Shaped Condo building downtown.

Another developer is said to be interested in the former Memorial Hospital site who envisions two 20 story twin mixed use buildings.


Indeed Michigan City is underway for a complete transformation with lofty goals to become a lakefront paradise with national attention.


Here is the 3-24 story Condo rendering that is still used on the marketing signs around the city advertising the revitalization and transformation that is taking place. Plans have been set back years and years as construction was set to begin in early 2008 before the economy collapsed. My sources within the know in the city assure me this project is still very much in tact although I know a feasibility study the city paid $200,000 for urged highly against it. I know the city wants it regardless of the study's findings and a few master developers allegedly still hold much interest. I believe it may never happen but even a scaled back version or even only one of the towers would still be amazing for such a small town.







Another plan is to attract a Division 1 university to the city that has been in the papers a few times.


I think if even even half of Michigan City's vision comes to fruition it will give South Bend a major run for it's money as being the somewhat capital of Northwest Indiana. I always knew Michigan City was a sleeping giant and it seems it's slumbers are over finally. The only problem is manufacturing has left the city in droves and it's NEVER coming back. They have doubled down and went all-in on service and tourism. Hopefully more professional institutions and corporations give Michigan City a look but the population is under educated and lacking skilled labor so Valparaiso continues to attract the high paying manufacturing jobs and educational institutions, financial centers and professionals in the area. Crime in Michigan City is also a major problem which Valpo doesn't have and there are ghettos all over the city's west, south and east sides. Chicago gangs run the city and warrant sweeps weekly net 40-70 arrests. The drug trade is rampant and for every dealer taken down 5 sprout up in their place. The murder rate is somewhere in the 15.0-17.0 range and shootings plague the city. Hopefully with all of the new investment these gangsters are driven from the city.

[OrdoSeclorum]

Originally Posted by Siriusly

lI think if even even half of Michigan City's vision comes to fruition it will give South Bend a major run for it's money as being the somewhat capital of Northwest Indiana.

Somewhat? Michigan City has the lake and a train to Chicago. Plus you can drive to Chicago in about an hour. Fundamentals are off the charts.

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

Somewhat? Michigan City has the lake and a train to Chicago. Plus you can drive to Chicago in about an hour. Fundamentals are off the charts.

I agree but it will take much more development for Michigan City to challenge South Bend's dominance in the region. The mayor in the late 90's was in negotiations to bring in a regional airport larger than both S.B. & Gary's. That has never been pursued since. That's the scale M.C. needs to be thinking on.

There are a few powerful families who have a stranglehold on much of the land in and surrounding M.C. and so many great plans have fallen through throughout the years due to their influence and corruption.

Literally everything from more casino's, high-rises, universities and theme parks to minor league baseball and hockey teams/stadiums, intermodals, mega-malls, the regional airport and everything in between have fallen through or been voted down due to the politics of getting things done in Michigan City.

This is the first time in my lifetime that there is a unified effort on behalf of the city to revitalize and become a major player in the state/region with an actual plan in place and a strategy to follow which is being implemented in phases all over the city.

[James2390]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

Somewhat? Michigan City has the lake and a train to Chicago. Plus you can drive to Chicago in about an hour. Fundamentals are off the charts.

Sorry to add to the off topic conversation, but the same train reaches its eastern most destination at South Bend's airport, which just gained international status. The lake is half hour away, and the drive to Chicago is only a half hour more than the trip from Michigan City. Neither of those fundamentals have helped Michigan City get the upper hand in decade's past. I don't see it happening all the sudden now.

Haven't logged in here in forever, but all these projects make me so proud to be an on and off again Chitown resident. All these construction updates and project announcements make me grin every time I see them. Only two years ago I was living at Lake and Jefferson, I can't imagine what that area is going to feel like when I see it next with the two office towers and Wolf Point residential tower. Sashay forward, Chicago!

[brian_b]

Originally Posted by Siriusly

Can anyone get a close to accurate floor count or height from this photo? It's exciting times for Michigan city who is going through a little boom and making major investments in infrastructure and trying to attract a major university. There is still plans to build 3 24 story condo towers next to the Blue Chip Casino Tower which is 284 ft. A market feasibility study has stifled the project but they are hoping to move forward in the right climate.

Michigan City is doomed and has been for decades. As long as development continues to focus on sprawly car-dependent stuff out near the interstates, the economic base will continue to deteriorate as there are fewer and fewer reasons to head north on 421 instead of getting back on the highway and continuing on your way.

The core of the city is amazingly walkable with a wide variety of housing stock and downtown commercial space and barely any surface parking lot scars. Yet it continues to decline as it is ignored in favor of the car, an outlet mall surrounded by a sea of parking lots, a casino surrounded by a sea of parking lots, a Walmart way out away from it all, etc.

Two of my siblings were born at St Anthony's - and we walked home. We walked over to the stadium to see football games, we walked to church, walked to the hot dog stand to get homemade root beer, walked to the bowling alley, school, etc. Of course, that was the late 1980s and early 1990s. Can anyone living in Michigan City do that today?

An aerial tram to connect the outlets with the casino and the beach? Great! Nobody will ever walk past that absolute gem of a public library again! Tear down the hospital and put a new one out past the Walmart? Well, I guess that if, on my next trip to a beach town that gets it (in Michigan of all places), I were to happen to need the services of a hospital it will be conveniently located (near the old garbage dump???). The actual residents of the city can always choose to eat at the Olive Garden, Culvers or BW3s they pass on their long drive out there if they had the misfortune of needing medical services.

Sigh.

[Siriusly]

Here are two better photos that I took recently. Can one of you with the ability to use the pixel counting programs or whatever other tools you use please give a height estimate for this hospital. Michigan City is just as "Chicagoland" as many of the non-Chicago-proper places discussed here.

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by brian_b

Michigan City is doomed and has been for decades. As long as development continues to focus on sprawly car-dependent stuff out near the interstates, the economic base will continue to deteriorate as there are fewer and fewer reasons to head north on 421 instead of getting back on the highway and continuing on your way.

The massive development going on near and along the interstate is to construct an architecturally significant backdrop for motorists to create an image in their minds of what Michigan City offers to passing motorists and to cement a brand in the region. This is an excellent strategy as up until 1 year ago Michigan City was the only city/town without an identity along 94 for a 45 mile stretch. It only makes sense to entice unwitting travelers to exit when they see a burgeoning community replete with world class healthcare, upscale dining and luxury hotels in mid and high rise forms.

I suppose you would feel sprawling farmland and idle fields for miles and miles would better suit a city with a strategy in place to become a premier lakefront paradise. The lakefront, dunes, casino, tallest hotel in Northwest Indiana and the Lighthouse Mall will keep attracting them north.

Originally Posted by brian_b

a casino surrounded by a sea of parking lots

Negotiations have been going on for over a decade with the Blocksom Co. to relocate their factory which sits in the heart of the development area for the "Trail Creek Corridor" plan. This includes 3 -24 story high-rises designed by Lohan Andersen who wants to be the master developer. The Marina is slowly being dismantled and moved to accommodate the plan. Once an agreement is met development should take off.

They are starting construction on replacing the U.S. 212 Bridge running next to the casino to provide a new bridge with 360 degree city views which the current bridge blocks with it's high walls. Stamped concrete, led lighting, low iron railings, flower bed medians, a pedestrian bridge running at a lower level below the main bridge and led signage is just yet another major investment the city is making to bring the dream to a reality.

Originally Posted by brian_b

The core of the city is amazingly walkable with a wide variety of housing stock and downtown commercial space and barely any surface parking lot scars. Yet it continues to decline as it is ignored in favor of the car, an outlet mall surrounded by a sea of parking lots, a casino surrounded by a sea of parking lots, a Walmart way out away from it all, etc.

Again you are way off base here as the city has designated the downtown area the "arts district" and have spent $17 million on renovation of the 8 story Warren Building with lofts to house national artists with I believe over 80 units plus public spaces to view their work. There are numerous galleries in Franklin Square these days and public art competitions are held to win a chance at your piece being displayed in public squares of the city. This area is also attracting non-chain trendy cafe's, bars, clubs, theaters and shops. Most owners have taken the city up on the facade approval grant program and the area looks infinitely better.

The City is actively looking for a developer to build a 4 star hotel with "lake views" and convention space in the downtown area. To provide lake/Chicago views the hotel would need to be at-least 12-20 stories. The LGMIS I previously referenced also calls for a college campus coming to downtown and since you are familiar with Michigan City than it might excite you that the former "Memorial Hospital" site has multiple master developers interested in building everything from twin 20 story condo towers to high density mixed use low-rise apartment buildings with first floor retail.

So you see the city is addressing walk-ability and high density living in the downtown area. One problem that has plagued the walkability of the city is the high crime rates and gangs shooting at one another which tends to scare off most pedestrian traffic assuming you're not from Englewood or Gary.

Originally Posted by brian_b

Two of my siblings were born at St Anthony's - and we walked home. We walked over to the stadium to see football games, we walked to church, walked to the hot dog stand to get homemade root beer, walked to the bowling alley, school, etc. Of course, that was the late 1980s and early 1990s. Can anyone living in Michigan City do that today?

So I guess the city should build all of it's assets in a 4 block radius so families can feel connected to one another bypassing by each other from school, to lunch to dinner.

Originally Posted by brian_b

An aerial tram to connect the outlets with the casino and the beach? Great! Nobody will ever walk past that absolute gem of a public library again!

That library might still meet the wrecking ball to open Franklin up directly to the lake. It has survived the chopping block quite a few times.

Originally Posted by brian_b

Tear down the hospital and put a new one out past the Walmart? Well, I guess that if, on my next trip to a beach town that gets it (in Michigan of all places), I were to happen to need the services of a hospital it will be conveniently located (near the old garbage dump???). The actual residents of the city can always choose to eat at the Olive Garden, Culvers or BW3s they pass on their long drive out there if they had the misfortune of needing medical services.

That hospital you speak so tongue in cheek about will be one of the top rated facilities in the region. There will be no more need to fly patients to South Bend or Chicago. They can be treated in MC now and ST. Anthony's stays on the cutting edge of cancer treatment and Robotic surgeries. They have the ability to save lives that many hospitals in the area do not. It is an initial $200 million investment on behalf of Franciscan Alliance of what is to become an 80 acre medical campus which I can assure you nobody within some distance will come close to matching. This proposal rivals their properties in Indianapolis. Not bad for a city of 35,000.

Originally Posted by brian_b

Sigh.

Your hatred for Michigan City doesn't change the fact that the city has an iron clad bipartisan master-plan in place and is aggressively investing in fixing and updating infrastructure and conducting studies then adapting the most attractive and feasible findings to completely transform the city. This is why NICTD/SouthSHore is investing hundreds of millions in realigning their tracks and building new stations as well. Lifetime dwellers will not recognize the city in 5-10 years with even half of the plans coming to fruition. Michigan Blvd. for exampel looks nothing like the grimy ghetto gang infested territory I grew up accustomed to.

[jpIllInoIs]

Siriusly I wouldnt let one hater derail your enthusiasm. I enjoy reading about MC development and agree with you that the city is geographically well located and has some excellent assets.
And with Berrien County, MI becoming more integrated with Chicago due to the heavy infusion of Chicago people and dollars for the summer vacation season..
It seems the MC could benefit and ride that wave.
With that said, this discussion belongs in the Chicago Suburban tread.

[rlw777]

Michigan City doesn't need studies and "iron clad" master plans (whatever that means) to turn around and become the destination city it would like to be. It only needs to do one thing. Get rid of the power plant. If I wanted to spend time in a town with a Casino and a public beach near heavy industry I would save some time and go to Hammond Indiana or East Chicago.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Siriusly

The massive development going on near and along the interstate is to construct an architecturally significant backdrop for motorists to create an image in their minds of what Michigan City offers to passing motorists and to cement a brand in the region. This is an excellent strategy as up until 1 year ago Michigan City was the only city/town without an identity along 94 for a 45 mile stretch. It only makes sense to entice unwitting travelers to exit when they see a burgeoning community replete with world class healthcare, upscale dining and luxury hotels in mid and high rise forms.

I suppose you would feel sprawling farmland and idle fields for miles and miles would better suit a city with a strategy in place to become a premier lakefront paradise. The lakefront, dunes, casino, tallest hotel in Northwest Indiana and the Lighthouse Mall will keep attracting them north.



Negotiations have been going on for over a decade with the Blocksom Co. to relocate their factory which sits in the heart of the development area for the "Trail Creek Corridor" plan. This includes 3 -24 story high-rises designed by Lohan Andersen who wants to be the master developer. The Marina is slowly being dismantled and moved to accommodate the plan. Once an agreement is met development should take off.

They are starting construction on replacing the U.S. 212 Bridge running next to the casino to provide a new bridge with 360 degree city views which the current bridge blocks with it's high walls. Stamped concrete, led lighting, low iron railings, flower bed medians, a pedestrian bridge running at a lower level below the main bridge and led signage is just yet another major investment the city is making to bring the dream to a reality.



Again you are way off base here as the city has designated the downtown area the "arts district" and have spent $17 million on renovation of the 8 story Warren Building with lofts to house national artists with I believe over 80 units plus public spaces to view their work. There are numerous galleries in Franklin Square these days and public art competitions are held to win a chance at your piece being displayed in public squares of the city. This area is also attracting non-chain trendy cafe's, bars, clubs, theaters and shops. Most owners have taken the city up on the facade approval grant program and the area looks infinitely better.

The City is actively looking for a developer to build a 4 star hotel with "lake views" and convention space in the downtown area. To provide lake/Chicago views the hotel would need to be at-least 12-20 stories. The LGMIS I previously referenced also calls for a college campus coming to downtown and since you are familiar with Michigan City than it might excite you that the former "Memorial Hospital" site has multiple master developers interested in building everything from twin 20 story condo towers to high density mixed use low-rise apartment buildings with first floor retail.

So you see the city is addressing walk-ability and high density living in the downtown area. One problem that has plagued the walkability of the city is the high crime rates and gangs shooting at one another which tends to scare off most pedestrian traffic assuming you're not from Englewood or Gary.



So I guess the city should build all of it's assets in a 4 block radius so families can feel connected to one another bypassing by each other from school, to lunch to dinner.



That library might still meet the wrecking ball to open Franklin up directly to the lake. It has survived the chopping block quite a few times.



That hospital you speak so tongue in cheek about will be one of the top rated facilities in the region. There will be no more need to fly patients to South Bend or Chicago. They can be treated in MC now and ST. Anthony's stays on the cutting edge of cancer treatment and Robotic surgeries. They have the ability to save lives that many hospitals in the area do not. It is an initial $200 million investment on behalf of Franciscan Alliance of what is to become an 80 acre medical campus which I can assure you nobody within some distance will come close to matching. This proposal rivals their properties in Indianapolis. Not bad for a city of 35,000.



Your hatred for Michigan City doesn't change the fact that the city has an iron clad bipartisan master-plan in place and is aggressively investing in fixing and updating infrastructure and conducting studies then adapting the most attractive and feasible findings to completely transform the city. This is why NICTD/SouthSHore is investing hundreds of millions in realigning their tracks and building new stations as well. Lifetime dwellers will not recognize the city in 5-10 years with even half of the plans coming to fruition. Michigan Blvd. for exampel looks nothing like the grimy ghetto gang infested territory I grew up accustomed to.

Wait, weren't you the person who was recently saying that Chicago's current development is terrible? Now you are telling us that a hospital and one downtown rehab in Michigan City utilizing federal and state subsidies is somehow great?

[Mr Downtown]

That 12-story drawing on the billboard seems to be a generic clip art illustration, probably put up before the actual design was finished or released. The actual new Michigan City hospital that is planned is this:

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

That 12-story drawing on the billboard seems to be a generic clip art illustration, probably put up before the actual design was finished or released. The actual new Michigan City hospital that is planned is this:

You are wrong, the picture you posted is generic from an already existing hospital in Lafayette. They were lazy and posted that rendering for the local papers or maybe the design hadn't been finalized. You don't really believe a multi-billion $ holdings company is going to build two same exact hospitals in different regions with different needs and demands with different specializations do you? A major part of the plan is to service medivac patients who won't have to fly so long to Chicago or South Bend anymore. They just invested $40,000,000 in their old hospital a few years ago. If they built the rendering you posted the old hospital would have it trumped by some distance. By the way, that rendering you posted was in the papers months and months ago while the sign showing the 12 story version was just erected two weeks ago so there goes your "design wasn't ready" theory.

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Wait, weren't you the person who was recently saying that Chicago's current development is terrible? Now you are telling us that a hospital and one downtown rehab in Michigan City utilizing federal and state subsidies is somehow great?

One Hospital and a one rehab? LMAO....Read carefully or don't comment. There is a thorough master-plan to redevelop the entire city and its outskirts. I spoke of universities, luxury mid/high rise hotels, 3, 24 story condos and twin 20 story condos along with a host of other future plans to revitalize the lakefront. Michigan City has been ghetto and an outlet for Chicago and South Bend gangs for decades now and is grossly underdeveloped. There are giant empty fields surrounding entire 4-6 lane boulevards in the heart of the city. The neglect has been devastating to the city.

For the first time ever the city and its politicians and landholders are serious about development and the boom is on the horizon after countless golden opportunities like building a regional airport larger than SB and Gary was shot down. Hitchcock, Perkins + Will and Lohan Andersen have all designed schemes that the city is adopting.

On the other hand, Chicago is an alpha world city with a top 5 global economy who is stuck in a rut and can't build a super-tall and only 1 in 40 years while it's competitors throw them up almost recklessly by comparison. Most buildings going up have a 3-400 foot plateau with the usual glass box design and massive podiums. This from the city with the greatest collection of architecture in the world. It is certainly underwhelming to see entire developments being proposed with the marquee tower having a height in the area of 500 ft. Not to mention the seemingly new standard of cutting a buildings height by a few hundred feet from its original incarnation is depressing as well.

There will not be a lakefront destination in Indiana or possibly the region that will compare to Michigan City's long-term strategy that is already being implemented in many areas.

So ya, I don't see any hypocritical logic here.

[Mikemak27]

Siriusly and his Michigan City comments are eerily similar to ChiBoy and his constant trolling on Curbed.

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by The Pimp

Michigan City. Really? No disrespect. But, the place is a dump. Why don't we all start including cities like Cleveland on this thread. It's sort of close to Chicago. Doesn't the Midwest thread cover Michigan City?

Millions of people and the media everyday say the exact same thing about Chicago so no offense taken.


Michigan city is a 45 minute drive to Chicago and has a direct train. 30 minutes by water and you can see the skyline from Washington Park and Mt. Baldy. If you people can't see any relevance to a booming Northwest Indiana city with this proximity to Chicago then I can't explain it to you. You are all just blinded by your elitist mindsets.

I implore any of you to come to Michigan City on a Saturday in the summer. About 70% of the licence plates state "Land of Lincoln" and Long Beach and Pottawatomie Park is filled to the gills with Chicagoans. I'd say they are greater than 60% of the home owners in the affluent suburbs of Michigan City.

So Michigan City is decent enough for the cheap taxes on 2nd and 3rd homes or to enjoy the lake and its many events or take in the shopping and casino night life but not important enough to discuss on a "boom" thread while experiencing a "boom."

I've seen Naperville talks, Schaumburg, Rockford, Aurora etc..etc....And always Evanston and Oak Park.

I guess you guys don't realize every time you bragg about the 9 million metro figure making you the third largest in the nation the "dump" Michigan City is included in that.

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by Mikemak27

Siriusly and his Michigan City comments are eerily similar to ChiBoy and his constant trolling on Curbed.

There's always the internet detective guy who believes he just uncovered the centuries greatest caper.

[marothisu]

Michigan City is not in the Chicago MSA - though it is in the CSA (only a few of those exist in the country though). People hardly talk about developments in Schaumburg or suburbs like that in here furthermore and most of the time it's brought up as a point about how people don't like suburban developments, not a "let's see what's going on there!" The only time I've seen it mentioned, which was almost never, was about the new Zurich HQ. And really, Evanston, Oak Park, and Forest Park are basically adjacent to the city and look just as much a part of Chicago as anything. They also have the CTA train lines going to them (not Metra). You could blindfold people and take them to parts of those cities and they would absolutely think they were still in Chicago (especially when they can still see the skyline pretty well from them).

Personally, I think that Oak Park, Forest Park, Evanston, etc should get their own thread. It's great that Michigan City is getting this type of development, but don't compare it to the likes of Evanston which has CTA city train service and literally right next to the city and areas that could easily be mistaken for the city of Chicago.

And I think Vlajos and I were more talking about how weird it is that you were blasting Chicago's development for certain things when the stuff you get really excited about for Michigan City is even more pedestrian and suburban than what you were blasting.

[Siriusly]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Michigan City is not in the Chicago MSA - though it is in the CSA...

What is the arbitrary reason that gives one greater distinction over the other? Michigan City has always been marketed as "Chicagoland" plain and simple on both ends, not just M.C.. You can watch a Blue Chip commercial on Chicago networks and hear something to the effect of "the best gaming "Chicagoland has to offer."

Michigan City has repeatedly denied being recognized as part of "Michiana" which is South Bend/Elkhart/Niles/Benton Harbor/Laporte etc.....

Almost all of Indiana voted to switch to E.S.T.....Michigan City is in one of only 2 or 3 counties out of 92 to stay on C.S.T. due to its business relationships with Chicago. The two places are linked in many facets such as transportation, finance, manufacturing and tourism. It is a logical fallacy to pretend Michigan City is not strongly related to Chicago. Even Chicago's greatest export to Michigan City (crime) is highly successful. A city of 35,000 has around 40 different gangs operating in it and an estimated 2,000 + members. Per Capita that makes even Chicago look amateur.

Michigan City has Mafia Insane Vice Lords, Black P. Stones, Mickey Cobras, Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, 2-6, CVL's...etc...etc... I can tell you for a fact the F.B.I, Marshall's and D.E.A all have offices in Michigan City and by my last understanding, Michigan City's police force was 3 times the size of all of the surrounding comparable cities. This is not happen stance. This is the result of Chicago's direct influence on Michigan City. What other city of 35,000 in a rural state are you aware of that requires this much law enforcement?

Originally Posted by marothisu

People hardly talk about developments in Schaumburg or suburbs like that in here

Maybe this is true now but I go back A Lot more years than you here and I'm telling you I have seen many conversations on what would be deemed irrelevant "burbs" many times and it's not all negative. I have seen Fry's in Naperville talked about when the conversation turned to best places to buy electronics.

Originally Posted by marothisu

You could blindfold people and take them to parts of those cities and they would absolutely think they were still in Chicago (especially when they can still see the skyline pretty well from them).

I could blindfold you in Michigan City and you would think you were in Englewood, Roseland, Parkway Gardens or South Shore...

Originally Posted by marothisu

Personally, I think that Oak Park, Forest Park, Evanston, etc should get their own thread. It's great that Michigan City is getting this type of development, but don't compare it to the likes of Evanston which has CTA city train service and literally right next to the city and areas that could easily be mistaken for the city of Chicago.

There is talks of the South Shore adding an express train which would put passengers on Randolph in 25-30 minutes. What affect would you see that having on the relevance of Michigan City/Chicago?

Originally Posted by marothisu

And I think Vlajos and I were more talking about how weird it is that you were blasting Chicago's development for certain things when the stuff you get really excited about for Michigan City is even more pedestrian and suburban than what you were blasting.

I have explained this multiple times so obviously you are skimming rather than reading. A grossly underdeveloped lake front gem where all living wage manufacturing jobs have fled and where the neighborhoods have looked like Gary for most of the 80's 90's and 2000's that has repeatedly squandered world class developments in the is past finally putting forth a masterplan to revitalize the ENTIRE city and its outskirts and in their words "make it the premier lakefront destination with national recognition"......

Those are extremely lofty ambitions and one a "Chicagoan" would respect I would think considering the whole "make no little plans" notion.

Regarding Chicago, the new trend of proposing an 800' building because you really want to build a 400' building is laughable and absurd. We are talking about a top 5-10 global GDP where the "skyscraper was invented" and 1 supertall has been built in 40 years. New glass box same as the old glass box with twin monster podiums is ridiculous especially given the rate at which Asian cities and New York are throwing up 1,000 footers. I'd rather see many of Miami's proposals than most of these "filler" buildings. Chicago has done nothing to reshape the skyline in my lifetime. There has merely been added density to the same peaks that have dominated for decades. Most of these new buildings going up simply fall in place and can not be seen unless you are viewing an aerial photo and even then you have to squint. All the talk is of livability and vibrancy but Chicago is far from a 24 hour city, I don't care how many 200' apartments go up. Think Waterview. That's when a horrible trend began in my opinion.

My praise of Michigan City which is a suburbanesque city consulting with major international developers to revitalize all 24 Square miles of its borders and even its outskirts with high density mid/low and high rise buildings, attracting upscale dining and luxury hotels along with world class health care facilities and possibly a division 1 university and an indoor theme park? All this along with turning the beachfront into a paradise replete with an aerial tram system? I'd say that's the kind of vision that wins cities national awards. I've been to many 30,000 + population cities. There is almost nothing on the scale we are talking here. And I haven't even mentioned Michigan City already boasts the tallest building outside of Chicago proper. Michigan City is designing and developing on the scale of a city with 300,000 residents, not a city with a tenth of that. When all this is finished M.C. will rival South Bend in most sectors other than education. Michigan City is the only city of its size I know of with a public transportation system and 24 hour Taxi service. None of it's Northwest Indiana competitors under 80,000 - 100,000 have anything similar that I have seen..

Pound for pound, that's the equivalent of Chicago seeing Dubai level development. You would have to know the history, landowners and politics in Michigan City to know exactly how profound and impossible a transformation like this actually is. It would be exciting anywhere in America but for the city named "Baby Gary" to take on a project like this makes it utterly incomprehensible and the plan is in action. There is construction all over the city putting the plan into implementation. This is not a concept from a student architectural design team. Billions upon Billions of dollars are going into this project and millions have been spent on feasibility studies and master developers are lining up to win the bids for the major projects.

In the end one city is redeveloping everything from its bridges to sidewalks and everything in between while every significant project in Chicago is either lackluster (for Chicago's scale and standards) or financing falls through.