(La Porte, IN) - A nationally known clothing store chain and other retailers could occupy practically all of the land remaining to be redeveloped at New Porte Landing.

 

The La Porte Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday night unanimously approved a letter of interest in the 14-acre site by a developer looking to build a multi-unit retail center.

 

As many as 10 or more buildings could be constructed in the undeveloped center of New Porte Landing behind Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks said La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook.

 

Cook explained how the buildings would be separate from each other and go up in phases over an indefinite period of time. The project hinges on the RDC and the undisclosed developer coming to terms on a purchase agreement for the municipally owned land.

 

Typically, Cook said, it takes anywhere from 30 to 45 days to reach a deal on a purchase agreement, which could be presented to the RDC for a vote in late spring or early summer.

 

Cook said it’s too early to estimate the exact cost of the proposed multi-million dollar investment since construction plans are still in the early stages of development.

 

“How many millions is hard to say until you get a better handle on how many buildings and the size of those buildings, but it’s a sizable investment in our community,” he said.

 

Cook said he won’t be able to disclose the name of the clothing store or developer unless a financial deal is struck on the property. However, he described the brand as a nationally well-known “mid-box” clothing store.

 

“Everybody would recognize the name,” he said.

 

Cook said the other chain stores would be “smaller boxes,” complimenting each other with what they offer to customers.

 

“People like to be able to shop in one area and get all of the different things they need,” he said.

 

New Porte Landing contains about 50 acres of land once home for decades to farm equipment maker, Allis Chalmers, who left the city in the 1980’s. It took more than 10 years to begin cleaning up the property, starting with the demolition of huge dilapidated manufacturing structures and an over 100-foot-tall smokestack.

 

Dunkin’ Donuts was the first business to open there in 2016. Later came a Starbucks, Dunes Volleyball Club, and The Banks, which contains about 200 resort-type apartments including amenities like a swimming pool.  The most recent developments were a medical office building, Smoothie King and an Aldi, which opened last year.

 

Mayor Tom Dermody said more than 80,000 tons of contamination were removed from the property during an environmental clean-up spanning six different mayors. He credited those administrations for their consistent work and vision to transform a once-blighted former industrial property in the heart of the city.

 

“I’m very thankful for those mayors that saw this and believed this could be turned into something. That’s really where the credit goes,” he said.

 

Dermody also said the addition of a clothing store and other retailers would meet a need expressed for a long time by citizens wanting more local shopping options.

 

Cook said the amount of traffic drawn to New Porte Landing in recent years is what attracted the developer behind what would be a sizable commercial development.

 

The RDC also approved a letter of interest from another developer looking to construct a bank on a one-acre parcel at New Porte Landing.

 

“I’m excited to have these offers on the table,” said RDC member Betsy Kabelin-Parkison.