In this issue:
  • City Construction Projects
  • Art Walk June 25
  • RDC Supports Local Schools
  • CGA Graduates Recognized
  • Council Corner
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • 4th of July Celebration
  • VCS Summer Food Service Program
  • Bicycle Friendly Community Recognition
  • Filming in Valpo
  • Meet Your City - Matt Jewison and Carl Frey
  • Calendar and Helpful Links
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Update on City Construction Projects
Summer construction projects are underway in Valparaiso. From street paving to roundabout construction, these improvements ensure that our residents can navigate our community safely and efficiently. We ask for your patience as we work to improve our roadways and pathways around the city. As a vibrant community, these improvements are vital as we continue to grow.

Projects include:
  • Street Paving - The Public Works Department is working to have about 10 miles of roadway paved this year (view map and paving lists). Jefferson and Chicago streets, along with four other listed streets, were resurfaced in May and they are now looking to begin Community Crossings improvement projects. As early as next week, paving work will begin on Bullseye Lake Road, followed by Country Club Road. Note that the timeline is determined by the schedule of the contractors completing the work and can be impacted by the weather. If you live in one of the areas being paved, be sure to look for notices from Public Works with guidelines on resident and business access during construction.
  • Silhavy/LaPorte Roundabout - To maintain the construction schedule for the Silhavy/LaPorte roundabout and ensure safety for motorists and construction crews, the Silhavy/LaPorte intersection will be temporarily closed from 12 a.m. on Monday, June 24 through 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26. Detours will be posted, and surrounding businesses will remain open. According to our Project Management Department, the Silhavy/LaPorte roundabout is on schedule to be substantially complete by the end of the year. View our press release for additional details.
  • US 30/Washington Street - Construction is underway at the intersection of US 30 and Washington Street. The intersection improvement project includes the construction of two left turn lanes, two through lanes, and one right turn lane in both the east and west bound directions on US 30. Currently, the median in US 30 is being cleared and prepared for the installation of storm sewer drains and pipes and the additional traffic lanes. For the next 3 to 4 weeks, expect to see lane shifts as well as closures while the median is cleared and storm sewer infrastructure is installed.  
  • Glendale/Calumet Water Main - As part of the city's aging infrastructure program, Valparaiso City Utilities is replacing a portion of the water main to alleviate water main breaks. The intersection of Glendale and Calumet will be closed for construction during the week of June 24 for 2-3 days.
  • City Hall - We are all looking forward to being back in our "home" at City Hall downtown. The project remains on schedule to be completed this fall. We hope to have you at our ribbon cutting in October - more details coming soon!
Join us for a Guided Art Walk at Cumberland Crossing June 25
The City of Valparaiso will showcase the Art Walk at Cumberland Crossing in a guided tour on Tuesday, June 25 at 6 p.m. Art Administrator Kurt Gillins will serve as guide, sharing details of the 16 sculptures along the walk. The guided Art Walk is free, and registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and meet near the Valpo Velocity bike share rack on Cumberland Crossing just south of the YMCA parking lot. Learn more about the June 25 event .

The Art Walk, introduced in 2012, includes original life-sized sculptures, changing each Spring. The Art Walk is funded by the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission with the support of generous sponsors and the sculptures are selected annually by a five-person volunteer Art Committee. Art on display is also available for sale through the Midwest Sculpture Initiative. Learn more about the Art Walk .
Redevelopment Commission Supports Local Schools
Each year, since 2011, the Redevelopment Commission has awarded grants to Valparaiso Community Schools (VCS) and East Porter County Schools (EPCS). The goal of the grants are to provide an opportunity for both school systems to use advanced methods or technologies that offer students an education that is competitive in the global economy while enhancing problem solving, collaboration and analytical skills of students. $600,000 in grant dollars are budgeted annually from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues and are divided among both school corporations based on per capita enrollment.

In June, the Commission awarded VCS $429,823 and EPCS $170,118. VCS plans to use the grant to purchase Chromebooks, STEM equipment, Virtual Reality (VR) lab equipment and zSpace 3D desktop stations. These specialty labs will allow students to participate in interactive 3D experiences through VR headsets, simulating international travel and historical moments, and facilitating interactive learning with labs and materials found in professional places of employment that are impossible for books and traditional classrooms to replicate. EPCS will use the majority of their grant to purchase Chromebooks so that they can continue to offer them to students at no cost to parents. Additionally, EPCS plans to expand their engineering courses at Washington Township High School by purchasing constructing a new STEM lab with special software and workstations. View the full applications in the June agenda packet .
Government Academy Graduates Recognized by City Council
Graduates from the City of Valparaiso’s most recent City Government Academy were recognized by Mayor Costas, City Council and community members at the June 10 City Council meeting. The current class of 24 completed the Academy by attending seven evening sessions throughout April and May where they learned more about how city services are delivered each day. The goal of the Academy is to increase engagement with residents by offering them a behind-the-scenes look at how their local government works. Currently about 50 residents have completed the program and are prepared to serve their community in many ways, including educating their neighbors, serving on a city board or commission, or volunteering with a nonprofit. A date for the next Academy is still being determined based on resident interest. 
Council Corner
Council Corner provides a sample of updates from City Council and Board and Commission meetings in a quick, easy to read format. Please note that full agendas and minutes can be found by visiting our website - the search box is a great resource to find what you're looking for! If you have additional questions or comments give us a call at city hall.

  • The City Council welcomed a new member, Holly Howe, who was elected by caucus to fill the remainder of Trista Hudson's term. Additionally, Councilmember Deb Porter was appointed by the Council to serve as President and Councilmember Lenore Hoffman was appointed to the Plan Commission. The Council approved a Resolution for the city to apply for a blight clearance grant to support the Porter County Public Library System's proposed outdoor library learning plaza at 106 Jefferson, a Resolution granting a tax abatement for Bluejay 1 building and an Ordinance appropriating funds to the Unsafe Building Fund for demolition projects (City Council 6/10).
  • The Advisory Human Relations Council discussed grant applications that were submitted through the AHRC's Community Cultural Grant Program. The next meeting will be held at the Valparaiso Police Department in an effort to reach more people by meeting in a variety of locations this year (AHRC 5/28).
  • The Redevelopment Commission is working with the Planning Department to increase transit options for commuters traveling to Chicago. They plan to offer a bus that goes from Valparaiso to the South Shore train station at Dune Park regularly during the week. The Commission also awarded grants to local school districts, discussed their downtown art initiative and heard a presentation on a potential roundabout at Campbell and Lincolnway (Redevelopment Commission 6/11).
  • The Plan Commission approved a primary plat for a 78 lot subdivision, Hawthorne Hills (Plan Commission 6/11).
  • The Board of Zoning Appeals approved the requested development standard variances by Ocean Life Investments, LLC (BZA 6/18).
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch celebrates our neighborhoods by sharing stories of success, highlighting completed projects and more. Contact us to share a story from your neighborhood!
A neighborhood sign was installed in Forest Park on June 11 at the triangle at Del Vista and Fernhill. Forest Park neighbors were awarded a Neighborhood Improvement Grant to complete the project and they plan to work together to enhance the landscaping near the sign next.
On June 13, members of the city's leadership team completed a Neighborhood Walk through Jessee-Pifer. Neighbors highlighted opportunities for improvement including sidewalks, storm water management, traffic calming and more.
It's been a popular time for neighborhood garage sales in Valpo! Shamrock, High Sierra, Worthington Gates, Chandana Point, Pine Creek and more promoted neighborhood-wide garage sales which can help build a sense of community and increase interaction among neighbors.
Celebrate July 4th in Valparaiso!
Join the Valparaiso community for one of the best entertainment and fireworks shows in the area this 4th of July! Event kicks off at 6:30pm with live music by Jonny James, food trucks from NWI Food Truck Fest and patriotic events leading up to the show. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15pm by ACE Pyro LLC. Bring your own blankets and chairs (and bug spray!) to Urschel field and enjoy some fun and entertainment!

Valpo Parks will also be hosting its annual 4th of July Blast 5K Run/Walk in the morning at Foundation Meadows Park. New to the race is the Lit'l Firecracker 2K Run for the children 12 and under to have the opportunity to participate with family & friends!  Learn more and register to participate .
VCS Summer Food Service Program Offers Free Meals for Kids
Valparaiso Community Schools' School Nutrition Department has kicked off their Summer Food Service Program which offers free meals to all kids 18 under. Meals will be served through July 26 and locations include ValPlayso, Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Jamestown Apartments (note: no meals served July 1-5). See the full schedule for more information on what time the meals are served at each location. During the first week of the program this summer, more than 3,000 free, healthy meals were served.

No questions asked, just show up and eat!
Valparaiso Recognized as Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community
The City of Valparaiso has been named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by The League of American Bicyclists. Valparaiso joins only ten other communities in the State of Indiana and is the only Northwest Indiana community with this recognition. The League of American Bicyclists is a national organization that represents bicyclists in the movement to create safer roads, stronger communities and a bicycle-friendly America for everyone.  The administration plans to continue expanding its 20-mile pathway system throughout 2019 and is thankful for the leadership of Valpo Parks and its Pathway Committee for seeking this recognition. Valpo Parks also recently announced future plans to add a mountain biking trail to the system which would provide another outdoor activity for residents to enjoy!
Lights, Camera... Valpo!
The City of Valparaiso is the site for an upcoming feature film currently in production throughout the city. The romantic caper-comedy features a fictional town, based on Valparaiso. The production crew has been shooting at Valparaiso landmarks, such as Valparaiso University, the Memorial Opera House, and Valpo Velvet (pictured here). The currently untitled film is being produced by Binary Star Pictures and will be rated PG-13. It’s about two disparate people – a social outcast and an Episcopal minister, brought together by an art mystery and a Russian mobster gunning for them both. Noted film actors Cynda Williams (star of Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues and One False Move) , Bonnie Morgan (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events ), Molly Morgan, and Shannon Brown are all featured.
Meet Your City
Matt Jewison & Carl Frey, Engineering Interns
The Engineering Department has two interns on their team this summer, meet Matt Jewison and Carl Frey!

  • Matt Jewison (right in photo) is studying Civil Engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette and has been interning with the City since May. Matt has lived in Porter County his entire life and he graduated from Chesterton in 2018. He is a passionate fan of the Cubs and Bears and is an athlete himself, as he can even outrun a police dog.
  • Carl Frey (left in photo) is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Dayton where he hopes to eventually pursue a Masters Degree. Carl was born and raised in Valparaiso and graduated from VHS in 2018. When he isn't busy working or in school, he likes to play sports, relax and watch the Cubs games, or just enjoy being around friends and family.

Meet Your City allows our residents to learn more about city staff, board and commission members and neighborhood leaders throughout the community.
Calendar and Helpful Links
Check our calendar regularly to stay up to date on our public meetings. The most current agendas and minutes can be found on our website by selecting the board or commission that you are most interested in under the “City Government” tab. Upcoming meetings of note include:

Special Events:

Quick Links:
City Talk Now is brought to you by the City's Community Engagement Department.  Contact us with any questions or feedback.

City of Valparaiso  | 219-462-1161 | 653 Hayes Leonard Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383