It was November but the breeze was gentle and warm,
Lake Michigan's waves swept calmly against the shore.
It was an autumn celebration unlike any other. After all, the
dream of so many was finally reaching reality.
On November 2, 2008, the Portage Lakefront Park and Riverwalk
opened to the public.
More than a park, the project completed the first step in the
Marquette Plan, an effort of U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., to
restore the lakeshore.
It is, I believe, a major signpost pointing to a bright future
for Northwest Indiana.
There are many other accomplishments of the past year and
significant growth on the horizon that feeds my optimistic
outlook.
For instance, a $485 million expansion of the Horseshoe Casino
in Hammond has created The Venue, a world class multipurpose
entertainment center, and a gambling hall the length of two
football fields.
In East Chicago, a 10-year plan to revive neighborhoods got its
start last year with $10 million in infrastructure improvements
supporting the new North Harbor housing and commercial
development.
Industrial giant BP is in the midst of a $3.5 billion expansion
and enhancement of its Whiting Refinery that is creating thousands
of jobs.
Cedar Lake will soon be home to a regional culinary delight as
entrepreneur Dean White opens The Lighthouse, a big city style
steakhouse and catering center.
Munster is showing off its new Centennial Park, built upon a
landfill. And Hobart is the envy of educators with its new $62.8
million high school.
The list goes on and on of the great and good things happening
in Northwest Indiana.
It is proof that working together great things can happen.
That is why I initiated the One Region: One Vision program in
2008. Bringing people together from the many and varied interests
across the region we are building a conversation that centers on
those things of mutual benefit.
The old, parochial ways of "da region" are giving way to
collaboration and cooperation. Look no further than Portage and its
new lakefront park. The city, a congressman, the National Park
Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Northwest Indiana
Regional Development Authority took a blighted spot and made it a
place of beauty for everyone.
This cooperative accomplishment and so many other efforts under
way give me hope that the gentle and warm breeze of success is the
path that lies ahead for Northwest Indiana.
