The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has readied seven Transit Development Districts for a June 9 public hearing, the first step in an approval process that includes a second hearing, a vote of the RDA Board of Directors and approval by the State Budget Committee.
The first hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 9 at the Purdue Tech Center at 9800 Connecticut Drive, Crown Point.
Transit Development Districts are one-half square-mile areas anchored by commuter railroad stations. They're being created in conjunction with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's Double Track project along the South Shore Line and the West Lake Corridor extension through Hammond and Munster.
The TDD boundaries included in the June 9 hearing are proposed for the Munster/Dyer Main Street and Munster Ridge Road stations along the West Lake Corridor; the Hammond Gateway Station, where the West Lake and South Shore Line will meet; and the East Chicago, Gary Miller, Portage/Ogden Dunes and Michigan City 11th Street stations along the South Shore.
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The TDDs' main purpose is to support development within their boundaries by leveraging any increase in property and local income taxes after their creation. The half-mile area of each TDD includes the train station and territory around it deemed most suitable for supporting residential, retail and business development in the area.
Some projects have already been announced for land within a proposed TDD — notably in Michigan City, with the 11th Street Central plan for the station block itself, and another multi-use development at Eighth Street and Michigan Boulevard.
The RDA board will accept public comment on each boundary during the hearing, which will be streamed on Zoom to allow comments from persons not in attendance.
Virtual participants may register online. A link to the registration form can be found at in.gov/rda/documents. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the hearing.
Comments may also be submitted via email to dwellman@rda.in.gov, or mailed to the RDA at the address above. Comments will be accepted through the second public hearing on July 14.
The draft resolutions establishing the boundaries of each TDD and maps of those boundaries will be available for examination at the RDA’s offices at the Purdue Tech Center and online at in.gov/rda/documents.
For more detailed information on the Transit Development Districts, visit nwitdd.com.
Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week
Check out the Times' picks for the best images from the past week.
Cobe Cup Car Cruise
Cars head North on State Road 55 toward Crown Point during the Cobe Cup Car Cruise on Saturday morning celebrating the 112th anniversary of the Cobe Cup Car Race.
Cobe Cup Car Cruise
Larry and Cheryl Morrone, of Crown Point, look over a 1931 Ford before the start of the Cobe Cup Car Cruise at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Saturday morning.
Cobe Cup Car Cruise
Paul Myers, of East Chicago, closes the hood on his 1929 Ford Model A before the start of the Cobe Cup Car Cruise on Saturday morning at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.
Cobe Cup Car Cruise
A worn American flag blows in the breeze on the antenna of a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 before the start of the Cobe Cup Car Cruise.
Final graduation in historic LaCrosse High School
Veteran radio sportscaster Harold Welter addresses the graduating class of Lacrosse High School on Friday.
Final graduation in historic LaCrosse High School
Kyle Gorski, an honors graduate of LaCrosse High School, stands with his diploma during commencement Friday.
4A baseball sectional semifinal: Lake Central vs. Munster
Lake Central's Owen Williams, center, reacts after hitting a triple and scoring when the throw to third went astray against Munster on Saturday during a 4A sectional semifinal at Highland High School.
4A baseball sectional semifinal: Lake Central vs. Munster
Munster's Kevin Hall reacts after a single on Saturday during a 4A sectional semifinal at Highland High School.
4A baseball sectional semifinal: Lake Central vs. Munster
Lake Central's Garrett Weber, right, reacts with teammate Joey Carra after a home run against Munster on Saturday during a 4A sectional semifinal at Highland High School.
4A baseball sectional semifinal: Lake Central vs. Munster
Munster's dugout reacts after a home run by Jake Thometz on Saturday during a 4A sectional semifinal at Highland High School.
4A baseball sectional semifinal: Lake Central vs. Munster
Lake Central's Owen Williams, left, reacts with teammate Griffin Tobias after Williams tripled and scored on a throwing error against Munster on Saturday during a 4A sectional semifinal at Highland High School.
Gary police memorial service
K-9 officers join the Gary Police Department Fallen Officers Memorial Friday.
Gary police memorial service
Gary police department officers were joined by officers from other departments at the Gary Police Department Fallen Officers Memorial on Friday.
Gary police memorial service
David Rorex, son of fallen Gary police officer Dorian Rorex, holds his one-year-old son Kylo as he taps the memorial wreath at the Gary Police Department Fallen Officers Memorial Friday.
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Lake Central players celebrate their win after Mackenzie Calinski (14) scored in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it 12-2 over Hammond Morton during the championship game of the 4A Sectional at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday.
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Lake Central players raise the sectional championship trophy after beating Hammond Morton 12-2 in six inning in the championship game of 4A Sectional at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday.
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Hammond Morton’s Ariana Figueroa (28) reacts after she and Analise Campos (14) both scored in the fourth inning during the 4A sectional championship game against Lake Central at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday.
Neighborhood park seen as 'catalyst' for future growth
Kaiden Ballard, 5, uses the slide on the playground Thursday at Windrich Park at Jacobs Square in Hammond.
Lake Central High School commencement
Gabriel Bellar waves to family at the Lake Central High School commencement.
Lake Central High School commencement
Kaitlyn O'Drobinak wipes a tear away as she watches a Class of 2022 tribute video at the Lake Central High School commencement.
Lake Central High School commencement
Elizabeth Solis and Kyle Kennedy watch a Class of 2022 tribute video at the Lake Central High School commencement.
Lake Central High School commencement
Lake Central junior Lexi Crenshaw takes a selfie with graduating seniors.
OE breaks ground on respite facility
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch lets Opportunity Enterprises client David Barnes, along with client Ethan Ruiz, enjoy the spotlight during Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony for a new 16,000-square-foot respite center in Lake Eliza.
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Boone Grove’s Jarrod Benkovich competes in the high jump during the Boys Track Regional at Valparaiso High School Thursday evening.
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Lake Central’s Ryan Mauder takes the hand-off from Josh Berry for the final lap of the 4x400-meter relay final during the Boys Track Regional at Valparaiso High School Thursday evening.
Family memorializes Jason Janek
Jason Janek's mother, Camellia Janek, and his goddaughter, Cassidy Janek-Mansfield, reflect by a tree that was planted in his memory at Whiting Lakefront Park.
Family memorializes Jason Janek
Jason Janek's name adorns a tree planted in his memory at Whiting Lakefront Park.
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Kankakee Valley’s Emily Nannenga competes in the high jump Tuesday at the Portage Girls Track Regional at Portage High School.
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Merrillville’s Taylor Jackson clears the next to last hurdle during the 100 Meter Hurdles during the Portage Girls Track Regional at Portage High School Tuesday evening.
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Valparaiso’s Ayla Rice competes in the shot put during the Portage Girls Track Regional at Portage High School Tuesday evening.
Sonic Drive-In has its long-awaited opening Monday
Jessica Townsend delivers food to a customer at the new Sonic Drive-In on it's first day open.
Sonic opening makes big boom in Crown Point
Cars are lined up on Superior Drive as customers try out the Sonic Drive-In. One customer said he was in line for an hour to order a footlong chili/cheese dog but said it was worth wait.
Dedication ceremony for Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion
Bishop Robert J. McClory blesses images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego on Sunday during the dedication of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John.
Dedication ceremony for Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion
Bishop Robert J. McClory of the Catholic Diocese of Gary meets with Eve Figueroa, of Chicago, Sunday following the dedication of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza.
Dedication ceremony for Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion
Members of the Xel-Ha Escuela de Danza process as Aztec dancers Sunday for the dedication of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza.
Andrew Steele
Assistant Deputy Editor
Andrew Steele joined The Times in 2014. Contact him at 219-933-3241 or andrew.steele@nwi.com.
