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THE HEART OF LA PORTEPOST-CHARRETTE DRAWING PACKAGEFOR PRIORITY PROJECTSJULY 2020CONCEPT RENDERING OF AN IMPROVED LINCOLNWAYAND MONROE ST. INTERSECTION1

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:Thank you to everyone who participated in the process including many residents, community advisory groups,City administrators, and council members. A special appreciation is owed to City staff who led the process to reenvision a healthy La Porte.CITY OF LA PORTESTAKEHOLDER PARTICIPANTSTom Dermody, MayorNate LouksAshley WilliamsDrew MullenMark Krentz, Former MayorJulie SmithJacki DermodyJeff BernelBeth Schrader, Director of Development & PlanningJim PresselJennifer NollCarey GarwoodNick Minich, City EngineerLori TubbsDon BabcockDale ParkisonMark Schreiber, Parks SuperintendentTim LarsonTom DermodyDennis MeyerBert CookNicole KrolClay turnerTony LaraLaura KrentzJerry jacksonTim FrankeThaddeus Cutler Todd A TaylorJim KaminskiLisa SmithsonDenis ConlonPaul CincentMichelle ShirkMark FrancesconiCharity HvlasaKaty GartlandTom MacLennanApril KellyBrian ChalikMark Ann RichardsLynn CainsMike RiehleKristi ChadderdonTroy ClarkMaggie SpartzAshley DickinsonEric GauntDeb VarnakJerry FedorchakAngela RoseJack ArnettLisa PierzakowskiDESIGN TEAM:Madison, Wisconsin(608) 251-1177www.smithgroup.comMunster, Indiana(219) 513-2500www.sehinc.comPortage, Indiana(219) 841-6416www.holladayproperties.comTHE HEART OF LA PORTE: PRIORITY PROJECT DRAWINGSPUBLIC FEEDBACKThank you to the residents who provided input byparticipating in the open houses, site tours, and onlineengagement during the planning process. A special thankyou is sent to Nate Louks and the State Street Church,who opened their doors to welcome the design team andcommunity throughout the 3-day charrette.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:SUB-PROJECT ACLEAR LAKE GREENWAY LOOP6-58SUB-PROJECT BTHE STITCH59-80SUB-PROJECT CLINCOLNWAY IMPROVEMENTS81-104SUB-PROJECT DAN EXPANDED FOX PARK105-110SUB-PROJECT ECLEAR LAKE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS111-1562

CLEAR LAKE GREENWAY LOOP (PAGES 6 - 58)A reimagined Clear Lake is the centerpiece of a healthy Heart of La Porte. Lake-related improvements provide thecatalyst for new and improved mixed use development and community destinations that engage the shoreline andcontinuous ribbon of trails and public green space. A diversity of shoreline treatments and amenities, includingaccessible edges, piers, and potential water-based recreation will enliven the lake as La Porte’s next great address,providing the environment for outdoor healthy living and fitness.THE STITCH (PAGES 59 - 80)"The Stitch" is composed of four segments that will create a series of vibrant destinations while providing safe accessbetween Downtown and Clear Lake. First, a flexible park will serve as the primary green space downtown. Secondly, aseries of streetscape interventions along Monroe Street transform the existing four-lane roadway into a shared streetprioritizing walkability. At the terminus of Monroe, the pedestrian bridge’s entry fronts the street creating an invitationto venture beyond. One of only a few elevated features with public access, the bridge will serve as a branded symbol toresidents and visitors alike that the community values pedestrian mobility and safety. Finally, once across, the bridgelands in a new community-focused public space adjacent to the new YMCA center.LINCOLNWAY IMPROVEMENTS (PAGES 81 - 104)Lincolnway is a State Highway and the main spine of commercial activity in La Porte’s downtown. Future efforts toreduce volume, speed, and detour large trucks promote the community’s vision for a walkable downtown. Long-termimprovements include reduction of parking and travel lanes to utilize the space for expanded walks, a thickening of thevegetated buffer between the street and walks, and safe crossings. A phased approach is outline defining short-termstrategies to incrementally reach the long-term vision.AN EXPANDED FOX PARK (PAGES 105 - 110)Roadway extensions through Fox Park allow opportunity to relocate selected sports fields to improve functionalrelationships and allow for improved parking and service for park events and attractions, including the amphitheater.CLEAR LAKE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS (PAGES 111 - 156)TRUESDELL REALIGNMENT AND POLK STREET EXTENSION: The proposed Clear Lake Greenway and the expansion of FoxPark provides opportunity to showcase the entrances to Fox Park and reduce the amount of thru traffic on TruesdellAvenue. The Truesdell thru route is proposed to be re-routed North at the entrance to The Strand development, to anextension of Polk Street, from Fremont Street to McClung Road. Polk Street would then become the East/West throughstreet from McClung Road to Pine Lake Avenue. Truesdell would become more of a ‘park road’ section to enhance thearrival experience to Fox Park, which would be expanded to include Clear Lake. The north run of Truesdell and Polk Streetextension would allow for future residential development of the AC Trust property, owned by the City.LAKE STREET EXTENSION: Lake Street is proposed to be extended from Madison Street to Clear Lake Boulevard. Withthe anticipated closure of Detroit Street as part of the Tipton Street overpass, extending Lake Street will provide theEast/West corridor on the North side of the railroad tracks. The route of the extension was chosen to maximize thedevelopment possibilities in this area.THE HEART OF LA PORTE: PRIORITY PROJECT DRAWINGS

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CLEAR LAKE GREENWAY LOOPClear Lake Greenway Loop is the central drivingPark Amphitheater and new YMCA site. Connecting tofeature to a healthier La Porte. It provides recreationalnature, connecting to neighbors, and providing a senseopportunity to circumnavigate an idyllic lake only blocksof belonging promote social health and communityfrom downtown, provides social spaces for peoplewell being.to gather, and encourages a thoughtful approach toenvironmental remediation. The geographic proximityA well connected and interesting loop improves theto other priority city projects enables the Greenway topedestrian experience and encourages more non-connect the Heart of La Porte’s planning districts intovehicular trips.a single identity focused on healthy living to unify Newcongestion, and modal conflict resulting in improvedPorte Landing, Fox Park, and downtown. Additionallyair quality and safer environments for non-motorists.connecting to the existing Chessie Trail builds upon theA bucolic lake with an industrial past, the Greenwayexisting infrastructure to create a cycling network withfocuses on remediating shorelines, implementingaccess as well as destinations.phytoremediation practices, and promoting nativeIn turn, this reduces emissions,flora and fauna. Collectively, these strategies focus onBeyond providing recreational access, the Greenwaya well-rounded approach to comprehensively stimulateprovides interesting opportunities to socially engagehealthy living in La Porte.with the community through unique spaces alongthe journey from intimate alcoves for lake viewing tolarge community gathering spaces such as the FoxTHE EXISTING SEGMENT OF THE GREENWAY ALONG THE EASTERN EDGE OF CLEAR LAKE WAS CONSTRUCTED 2018.THE HEART OF LA PORTE: PRIORITY PROJECT DRAWINGS

HEALTHY LA PORTEAir water qualityStormwater managementReduce urban heat islandHEALTHY MINDSHEALTHY LIVINGConnect to natureConnect to neighborsSense of belongingPlace to gatherPhysical activityGreenway Lake AccessPhysical safetyTANGIBLE COMMUNITY HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS6

HEALTHY MINDS: CLEAR LAKE’S CENTRAL PROXIMITY TOSOCIAL ENGINESHEALTHY LA PORTE: ROLE IN THE BLUE - GREEN SYSTEMClear Lake’s advantageous proximity to downtownLa Porte has several significant water bodies and eachcreates opportunity for people to wander, meet, andhas a distinct character, but no lakes exist south ofsay hello to one another. Clear Lake should be used asthe railroad which has traditionally served as a majora mechanism for bringing people together with manybarrier to pedestrian mobility. Extend the presence ofsocial engines in from the hospital, downtown, andthe lakes downtown and extend the people to the lakes.New Porte Landing.THE HEART OF LA PORTE: PRIORITY PROJECT DRAWINGS

HEALTHY LIVING: ACCESS AND Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte in 2017-2018, theChessie represents a leap in healthy living for La Porte.The Chessie Phase 1, creates a main North-South spinethrough La Porte linking Pine Lake to Clear Lake. Aportion of the lake loop was constructed as well as isa well used prototype for future phases. Building uponthe existing system will effectively link the existingChessie to downtown, New Porte Landing, and Fox Parkwith active modes of transportation8

CREATE NATURALIZED SHORELINE HABITATClear Lake has long been known for its aestheticAVOID CLEARING FALLEN TREESvalue and non-motorized recreational opportunities,Shoreline shrubs and fallen trees provide habitat forprimarilywildlife, but have typically been regarded as unsightly.fishing.Apopularspotamongthecommunity, Clear Lake should foster this use throughThey provide numerous ecological benefits:re-naturalizing the shoreline creating and habitat for Songbirds use these dead trees for nestingfish, birds, and insects. Promote Clear Lake as a healthy Amphibians sun on fallen trees and rocks. Fishand functioning aquatic ecosystem by maintaining the(primarily bass) hide in the shade under toppledfollowing best practices:trees Insects, such as mayflies, graze on the algae thatPROVIDE SHORELINE STABILIZING PLANTSAquatic plants hold the bottom of the lake in place,grows on wood Nymphs hunt for pray among the sticks and limbs.reducing sediment from stirring and making the watermurky. If sunlight cannot penetrate the water, thisAVOID LAWNS ADJACENT TO WATERwill reduce plants ability to conduct photosynthesis,Lawns are high maintenance landscapes that oftenreducing oxygen levels in the water, ultimatelyrequire fertilizers and other treatments which should bejeopardizing a healthy ecosystem. Stabilized shorelinesavoided near water bodies. Removing lawns at the water’shave the following benefits:edge has many benefits: A transition from emergent plants, submergentplants, and floating leaf plants ensures shorelinestability while providing a visually interestingedge. Edge habitat provide bass and other fish speciesopportunities to hide and spawn in area protectedfrom waves. Waterfowl nest in vegetation and feed onunderwater vegetation. Reduced sediment in the lake results in improvewater quality.THE HEART OF LA PORTE: PRIORITY PROJECT DRAWINGS Lawns attract nuisance animals, such as geesewhich graze on the grass and can produce asmuch as 15 lbs of waste per week. Less shoreline erosion results when tall grassesand shrubs hold the edge Less chemical runoff in water due to treatinglawns