Renewed NWI

NWI’s urban and rural centers are places people want to come

to and live in, and our environment is safe and healthy.

Transforming Empty Big Box Stores for the Holiday Season

The retailpocalypse has left the Region and the country scattered with empty big-box stores in many prosperous communities. While many former big-box stores remain empty and unused, some communities are taking the opportunity in creating temporary pop-up activities and events for the community.

One of NIRPC’s 2050 Plan strategies calls for planning for smart land uses and quality of place. Schererville is doing just that, turning a former Ashley Furniture HomeStore into a Santa’s Winter Wonderland interactive pop-up for the holiday season. Read the full article here 

Brownfields Investment Lifecycle

Jesse D. Silverstein, founder of the Colorado Brownfields Foundation used data from many redevelopment projects to create the Brownfields Investment Lifecycle. His research shows that for a property with potential contamination issues, the value of the real estate decreases over time if there is no information available to help define the imagined risk. 

However, as additional knowledge of the site is gained through assessment, cleanup planning, and negotiation with regulatory agencies, the value of the property increases as unknowns decrease.  

West Lake Extension Chugs Along!

Key communities along the proposed West Lake Corridor have ratified construction agreements. Hammond, Munster, and Dyer refused to be derailed in supporting the transformative commuter rail project.

With the new agreements in place, construction is set to begin in 2020 and complete by 2024. More information about the ratification of the construction agreements can be found in this article from the NWI Times. 

NIRPC Environmental Management and Policy Committee Meeting

FED: Food Expo & Discussion 2020

NIRPC Technical Planning Committee Meeting

NIRPC Full/Executive Board Meeting