(La Porte, IN) - Resort type living is being erected where an empty manufacturing building, full of broken windows, once stood on the edge of downtown La Porte.

 

Ground work began last week for the footings and foundations that will support three buildings containing 200 apartments called “The Banks” near Clear Lake.  The apartments will include granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a swimming pool, fitness center, bicycle storage and other amenities.  Those close to the deal say a fourth apartment building could go up depending on demand.

 

The development, occupying less than five-acres, is the latest project at New Porte Landing, with 17 of the 50 acres still available to build on at the former Allis Chalmers site. 

 

“We couldn’t be more excited and excited for the people who worked on this all of those years,” said Bert Cook, executive director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership.

 

Indianapolis based Flaherty & Collins Properties is investing $35 million in the project that is expected to be finished in 18 months.  The company has developed similar projects at over 100 locations nationwide. 

 

Young professionals and empty nesters are the likely residents for the one and two bedroom apartments which will be priced at $900 to $1,500 a month.  Cook said a high volume of residents with disposal incomes at one location should trigger a noticeable increase in retail growth especially at New Porte Landing and downtown.  “It’s the type of project that makes significant change to a community,” he said.

 

Mayor Tom Dermody said the development helps fill a void in a city beginning to see results from years of working hard toward positive change.  “There are not a lot of options and with as much that is going on and will continue to go on in La Porte we definitely need housing of all types.  We got a lot of work to do,” he said.

 

A medical office building operated by La Porte Hospital just recently opened at New Porte Landing which is also is home to Dunes Volleyball Club, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks.  Redeveloping the site began about 15-years after Allis Chalmers shut down the farm machinery plant in the early 1980’s.  Cook said the time involved to redevelop the property is typical for any old industrial site with contamination left behind.  “It’s taken a tremendous amount of work to remediate and get it ready for new use,” he said.