(La Porte, IN) - The city and the La Porte Community School Corporation could be swapping land.
Under the proposal, the city will give twelve acres of ground to construct a new school bus garage near the city’s wastewater treatment plant on Boyd Boulevard.
The city would receive land that the school bus garage now sits on and surrounding property on 18th and A Streets. That property would be targeted for new housing construction, a need Mayor Tom Dermody has made one of his top priorities to update of aging housing stock. Dermody said there’s enough room there for about a dozen or more new affordable homes. The school bus garage property would also give the city access to alleviate flooding in the area.
The city would also receive the old Coca-Cola building on Rumely Street. Dermody said the structure would be perfect for a workforce training center for the many manufacturing jobs that need filling. That building would remain with the school system for 18-24 months while relocation happens.
“We talk about skilling up. This building could provide that,” Dermody said.
He said new housing could also go inside the space not occupied by a workforce training facility.
The city this week approved the land swap. A vote by the school board is expected on Monday.
