(La Porte County, IN) - The door has opened to construct a 100-room hotel and restaurants near an Interstate 94 interchange outside Michigan City.

 

The La Porte County Council Monday night approved $1.5 million to run water and sewer lines to the site, also close to U.S. 20 and U.S. 35. The Michigan City Sanitary District will provide the utility service.

 

Matt Reardon with the La Porte County Office of Economic and Community Development said access to water and sewer service could spur more growth in an underdeveloped area west and east of U.S. 35.

 

The estimated $22 million plans also include 10,000 square feet of restaurant space and some office space. In addition, the hotel will contain banquet space for weddings and other venues.

 

The interchange is the first one in Indiana for travelers coming from Michigan.

 

“We’re going to do everything we can to make this look welcoming,” Reardon said.

Reardon said construction probably won’t begin until the spring of 2023.

 

“We got a lot of work to do to get the utilities done, designed, and bid for the project,” Reardon said.

The site was placed into a tax increment financing (TIF) district earlier this year to further assist with the cost of developing the site. The money will come from increased tax dollars generated by higher property values brought on by new development within the TIF.