AmeriPlex lauded for being wildlife friendly

PORTAGE | Butterflies fluttered across the narrow prairie planting bed along the road at AmeriPlex at the Port business park her.

The bed of native grasses and plants is a part of some eight acres of property within the 350-acre business development that has been converted from mowed turf to a habitat for insects, birds and animals.

The park, owned by Holladay Properties, was recognized by the Indiana Wildlife Federation Wednesday as a wildlife-friendly development.

"You are setting a great example for developments for attracting and protecting wildlife," said John Goss, executive director of the IWF.

AmeriPlex project manager Ryan Kelly said the project was three years in the making. Guided by a habitat team made up of representatives from AmeriPlex, Northwest Indiana Steelheaders, Save the Dunes and Lakeshore Landscaping, they devised a plan to take some of the previously mowed setbacks and rights-of-ways and turn them into native habitats.

A second step was to revise the development's landscape guidelines which will require new businesses locating in the park to use the native landscaping where possible. .

Kelly said the development, home to Bass Pro Shop, has been environmentally oriented. Within the business park is the Deer Trail Park, operated by Portage; Salt Creek, the Little Calumet River and access to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

"We are trying to create a bigger picture here," Kelly said.

AmeriPlex in Indianapolis was the first large industrial property to attain the certification. The developer's property in Merrillville is also working toward the achievement.

Kelly said the efforts are important to the company.

"From a developer's standpoint, you feel good about what you do. It also adds to the aesthetic value for the tenants," he said.