Officials dispute north county complex future
NWI Times
Updated Jan 11, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/offcials-dispute-north-county-complex-future/article_630dce79-083f-55a8-a571-d3f9003113ce.html
PORTAGE — Porter County government is taking a close look at its north county government complex, which at nearly 40 years old is falling short of today's needs.
If it is determined a new building is needed for the courts and other government offices, it likely will be constructed at the same site south of U.S. 6 along the west side of Willowcreek Road, according to Porter County Commissioner Jeff Good, R-Center.
But Portage Mayor James Snyder said he would prefer to see a new county building sited farther north in the city's downtown area, between the new fire and police stations.
The downtown location would provide the city with a much-needed anchor for the downtown, while fueling economic development for the city and county, he said. Development occurred around the site of the current location, he said, but now that that has occurred, it would be a lost opportunity for the downtown to put a new building up at the same site.
Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, said he understands Snyder's point of view, but agrees that it makes more sense for the county as a whole to rebuild, if necessary, at the same site.
The county already owns the land, and it's more easily accessible than the downtown, he said. The current site is also where there is the most potential for growth, especially if Willowcreek Road is one day extended south to U.S. 30.
Snyder said the downtown location would be closer to the Duneland area and easily reached by the Indiana Toll Road.
The county could sell the valuable land that it now owns, and the city would be willing to look at all options to make the downtown site a reality, he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment