The study, which was conducted over the past eight months by JJR, an urban planning and environmental consulting firm, came about because of the dedication and commitment of Mayor Scott King of Gary, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. of Hammond, Mayor Douglas Olson of Portage, Mayor George Pabey of East Chicago and Mayor Joseph Stahura of Whiting. These mayors, along with their committee members who are a part of the Marquette working group each had a hand in shaping the future of Northwest Indiana. The working group includes Dorreen Carey of Gary, Paul Myers of East Chicago, A.J. Monroe of Portage, Rudy Wunder of Whiting and Milan Kruszynski of Hammond.

“Because of the vision of these mayors, and dedication of the working group, the Marquette Plan will improve people’s lives,” said Visclosky. “By making the commitment to reinvest in Lake Michigan, these mayors are helping to create a Northwest Indiana that will have new economic opportunities, more jobs and enhanced recreational activities.”

In addition to the local mayors and the working group, Visclosky is quick to praise state officials like State Representative Earl Harris as well as state governmental agencies like the Shoreline Development Commission, the Division of Natural Resources and the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) for their ongoing support of this project.

“Thanks to help of local and state officials, as well as agencies like the Shoreline Development Commission and the Division of Natural Resources, the Marquette Plan is on a path to success,” said Visclosky.

“The Marquette Plan brings together the cooperation of local government to create a strategy that will help develop Northwest Indiana’s economic opportunity, and increase public access to the Lake Michigan Shoreline,” said John Swanson, Executive Director of NIRPC.

Cities Working Together

In order for the initial study to be completed, each city paid $8,000 toward the $40,000 local match required to receive a $160,000 Lake Michigan Coastal Grant.  The funding, totaling $200,000, was used to fund the feasibility study which is now complete. The study includes details of proposed lines for recreational trails and setbacks from the lake.

“The Marquette Plan is on track to provide short and long-term benefits,” said Mayor Olson. “By taking action now, Northwest Indiana will ensure the economic vitality of our lakeshore and our children will be the beneficiaries of this historic initiative.”

“By working together to get the Marquette Plan moving, each city will share in its success,” said Mayor King. “I am proud that all five cities, along with Congressman Visclosky have taken the necessary steps to invest in our shoreline.”

The Marquette Plan calls for procuring land no longer needed by industry and using the space for public parkland, including a pedestrian and bicycle trail that will stretch from the Illinois state line to the eastern boundary of the City of Portage. This initiative will in turn lead to new economic opportunities.

“There is no better way to retain and recruit businesses to the area than reinvesting in the shoreline,” said Mayor McDermott. “It also makes sense to find a win-win solution with the industries that now have excess land that can be used for the Marquette Plan.”

Guiding Principles

There are three guiding principles for the Marquette Plan, which were part of an agreement signed by officials from the five cities. First, 75 percent of the lakeshore should be recaptured and opened to public use. Second, land recaptured directly on the lakefront should have a minimum setback of 200 feet from the lake. Third, there should be a continuous biking and walking trail from the Illinois state line to the eastern boundary of the City of Portage for all Northwest Indiana residents to enjoy.

“The principles of the Marquette Plan ensure that the participating cities will work together to improve the overall quality of life in Northwest Indiana in a way that best serves each individual city,” said Mayor Pabey, one of the three mayors who took office after the initial agreement was signed by the five cities. “I look forward to improving East Chicago by participating in this important project.”

            “The Marquette Plan establishes a foundation that will help leverage the collective strengths of Northwest Indiana’s communities,” said Mayor Stahura. “Each city will reap the rewards of an interconnected recreation system across Lake Michigan’s south shore.”

“Now that the initial study is completed, local, state and federal officials will need to work together to ensure the continued investment in the shoreline,” said Visclosky. “I am extremely proud that we have reached this stage in the Marquette Plan, and I look forward to making the plan a reality.”