09192007 - News Article - Snyder: City needs to develop prime locations - PORTAGE: Velazquez says city's aging infrastructure needs attention

Snyder: City needs to develop prime locations
PORTAGE: Velazquez says city's aging infrastructure needs attention
NWI Times
Sep 19, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/snyder-city-needs-to-develop-prime-locations/article_ba43ca6b-be5c-52c9-83ad-2ea9a1217b60.html
PORTAGE | Pointing to an abandoned hotel on the city's north side, Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder said the city needs to focus on redeveloping its corridors to create a more inviting community.

"As it sits here vacant, desolate and deteriorating, it is costing the citizens of Portage valuable tax dollars that could be helping our city services and schools," Snyder said of the former Ramada Inn on U.S. 20 at Ind. 249.

The parcel, he said, is among the city's prime real estate. With its proximity to the Bass Pro Shops and other businesses in the nearby AmeriPlex park, Snyder said the corner is ripe for redevelopment and would like to see a big-name restaurant such as Olive Garden take root there.

"People come and want to build less than what we need," Snyder said. "We can't accept less than the best on this corner."

Democratic mayoral candidate Olga Velazquez said there are plans in the works to redevelop the corner, with an anchor and various outlots, but it's not going to happen overnight.

"One of the things I've learned is some things don't always happen as quickly as possible," she said.

The corner, Velazquez said, is somewhat indicative of a larger issue: The city's aging infrastructure. Velazquez, a City Council member, said the city needs to look at improving streets and curbs in some of its older areas, both commercial and residential. She said the city is working to move some allocated dollars to overhaul Central Avenue from Willowcreek Road to the city's western edge. But she said, the city could also benefit from added code enforcement, namely with junk vehicles left on streets and in yards.

Snyder also said the city needs to do more to help residents improve homes in some of the city's older neighborhoods, and said offering tax incentives could be a way to do that.

As far as helping the city improve and attract new development, Snyder said he would use his business background to the city's benefit.

"I intend to take what I know and sell the city," Snyder said.