(La Porte, IN) - Another step has been taken to try and have a commercial piece of property redeveloped in La Porte.

 

A few years ago, the city demolished the abandoned building on the former Don George Ford property next to the McDonald's on Pine Lake Avenue. Ever since, attempts to find a developer to the city’s liking have failed.

 

Last night, the La Porte City Council voted to transfer the property to the city’s redevelopment commission to try and improve the odds of finding a developer.

 

Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership Bert Cook said he thinks the redevelopment commission is “more able” and “more flexible” than the city council in finding a developer that shares a similar vision for the site.

 

Cook said he believes the process redevelopment commissions use to find a buyer is a bit easier to follow and more companies monitor redevelopment commission activities.

 

“We’ve tried twice through the council with poor results,” he said.

 

Cook said the city’s vision is for commercial development similar to what’s occurred at New Porte Landing across the street from the two-acre site. He said the city’s vision also includes some public access to adjacent Lilly Lake in the form of kayaking or some other type of recreational use.

 

“Hopefully, they will be able to find a developer who will put together a good plan for the property. If not, we can start the discussion on what happens next. At some point, something has to happen with that property. It can’t just sit as it is now,” he said.