(La Porte, IN) - Plans for a retail center in La Porte have taken a step forward.

 

A 90 day extension to purchase over 10 acres of land at New Porte Landing has been granted to the developer by the city.

 

La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook said the extension shows the developer is still interested in building there, but like with any proposed project from the private sector there are no guarantees yet.

 

“Typically, when the private party closes on the land that’s what really signals there’s a strong likelihood that they are going to move forward and build it there,” he said.

 

Plans for a retail center were revealed over a year ago when the city approved a letter on interest with the developer, who later entered into a purchase agreement that expired in late April.

 

The extension was needed for the developer to retain sole rights to buy the ground from the city while working toward closing.  

 

Cook said the developer is the same one involved in the recent opening of Chipotle.

 

Since that is finished, Cook said the developer has more time now to try and finish the process involved in building the proposed multi-unit retail center and work toward closing on purchasing the ground for the agreed to price of about $500,000.