(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City officials are formally asking the governor to restore an agreement that would give Indiana State Prison to the city for redevelopment after it closes.

 

Gov. Mike Braun rescinded the agreement between the city and former governor Eric Holcomb as part of his decision last month to keep the prison open indefinitely beyond 2027.

 

The city council on September 2 voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that asks the land acquisition deal outlined by a letter of intent be restored. The resolution also denounces any plans to use the prison to house undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation.

 

“This is extremely disheartening and disappointing.  There is a fear in the public that it will be used as an ICE ((U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention facility,” said Councilwoman Daisy Lee.

 

The resolution also outlines the city’s effort to narrow down future use of the property since the deal.  

 

“It’s just wrong.  It’s just wrong,” said Council President Dorothy Tillman.

 

The Indiana Department of Correction has revealed up to 1,000 available beds at the Miami Correctional Facility will be used strictly to house ICE detainees.

 

Under the deal, the state intended to transfer ownership of the prison once it closes to the city by January of 2029.  The prison established in 1860 was going to merge with the new Westville Correctional Facility still under construction.

 

Mayor Angie Nelson Deutich led the push to close the prison on the city’s west side to help revitalize long struggling neighborhoods around it with a more positive development that could attract more new investment.

 

Councilwoman Nancy Moldenhauer said a hard look was being given at constructing affordable workforce housing for people like police officers, firefighters and teachers. 

 

“This is very disheartening especially when the revitalization committee has been working so hard and diligently on this for a year and was extremely excited about what the vision could be for the west side,” she said.

 

Officials consider the prison an economic and social burden on surrounding neighborhoods by limiting opportunities for redevelopment and growth.

 

There’s also a feeling considerable resources like public meetings and professional services used by the city to begin deciding future use of the prison grounds have sort of gone to waste.

 

Specifically, the resolution urges decision makers to “honor the spirit” of the agreement and work with the city to ensure the property is “transitioned for redevelopment.”

 

“I hope this is just a pause and we’ll get through this phase and we’ll be able to get back to what members of the revitalization committee have been planning,” Tillman said.