Crown Point, IN (Gary, Hammond, Portage: hotel, tenants, theater)

[Northwest Indiana]

Well, it appears national builder, Ryland Homes, is entering the NWI market.

New owner ready to correct Edgewater subdivision problems

[richb]

[quote=Northwest Indiana;37571779]Well, it appears national builder, Ryland Homes, is entering the NWI market.

New owner ready to correct Edgewater subdivision problems[/QUOTE

Yup, that is, if they can get the concessions they want. They won't touch it if it they can't get at least some of them. They seem confident they can finish what has been a very troubled development.

It will be interesting to see if they attempt to start a few subdivisions from scratch in the next couple of years. D.R. Horton has built quite a few homes in a few subdivisions in the area over the last couple of years now, them seem like they are doing ok against Olthof. Olthof has since expanded into Porter county to grow itself as well.

[Northwest Indiana]

[quote=richb;37578975]

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

Well, it appears national builder, Ryland Homes, is entering the NWI market.

New owner ready to correct Edgewater subdivision problems[/QUOTE

Yup, that is, if they can get the concessions they want. They won't touch it if it they can't get at least some of them. They seem confident they can finish what has been a very troubled development.

It will be interesting to see if they attempt to start a few subdivisions from scratch in the next couple of years. D.R. Horton has built quite a few homes in a few subdivisions in the area over the last couple of years now, them seem like they are doing ok against Olthof. Olthof has since expanded into Porter county to grow itself as well.

I think they will get their concessions. Crown Point is attracting a lot of young, middle-income families who desire new homes at reasonably affordable prices as well as with good amenities. These neighborhoods that national builders develop are the neighborhoods they want. When the new DR neighborhood proposed on the southwest corner of 109th & Iowa was going through the approval process, one of the planning board members opposed it because they wanted it to be R1 zoning instead of R2. Another member stated "You cannot make every developer have a half-million house on a quarter-acre lot. Everything cannot be R1." which is accurate, especially in that area.

Olthof has introduced their new signature series which is nice, but one of their ranch plans is so overpriced that I don't know how it will fare. Olthof has also been building single-family homes in more subdivisions that they have not developed initially, mostly in the St. John/Schererville area (such as North Point, Gates, and Whispering Ridge).

I have seen many Ryland neighborhoods in Indianapolis. They appeared to be okay, but I do not exactly know what their reputation is like.

[richb]

[quote=Northwest Indiana;37580690]

Originally Posted by richb

I think they will get their concessions. Crown Point is attracting a lot of young, middle-income families who desire new homes at reasonably affordable prices as well as with good amenities. These neighborhoods that national builders develop are the neighborhoods they want. When the new DR neighborhood proposed on the southwest corner of 109th & Iowa was going through the approval process, one of the planning board members opposed it because they wanted it to be R1 zoning instead of R2. Another member stated "You cannot make every developer have a half-million house on a quarter-acre lot. Everything cannot be R1." which is accurate, especially in that area.

Olthof has introduced their new signature series which is nice, but one of their ranch plans is so overpriced that I don't know how it will fare. Olthof has also been building single-family homes in more subdivisions that they have not developed initially, mostly in the St. John/Schererville area (such as North Point, Gates, and Whispering Ridge).

I have seen many Ryland neighborhoods in Indianapolis. They appeared to be okay, but I do not exactly know what their reputation is like.

There are about 20 places Ryland are building in the Chicago area, the closest to here Bolingbrook and Shorewood. My brother and his wife looked at building with them ten years ago but ended up with a different builder. Their houses are similar to what Horton and Olthof build.

[Northwest Indiana]

First this...

Valpo firm proposes to build hotel in Crown Point

Followed by this...

Crown Point await another hotel proposal in April

Looks like this will be an exciting year for CP!

[BridgetJones]

I hope it doesn't happen. There are plenty of hotels about a 10 minute drive away, and the 109th/Broadway area is busy enough as it is. I suppose I wouldn't mind a small, locally-owned, locally-run, non-chain inn or B&B near the downtown area, but we really don't need anymore suburban sprawl. Let's leave all of that to Merrillville instead.

And the guy quoted in the article clearly hasn't done his research saying "Crown Point has never had a hotel." Years ago, Crown Point did have a hotel, called the Commercial Hotel, where Antiques on Main is located now. Here is a photo of it from 1910: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hoosie...ns/6162484001/.

[flamadiddle]

Originally Posted by BridgetJones

I hope it doesn't happen. There are plenty of hotels about a 10 minute drive away, and the 109th/Broadway area is busy enough as it is. I suppose I wouldn't mind a small, locally-owned, locally-run, non-chain inn or B&B near the downtown area, but we really don't need anymore suburban sprawl. Let's leave all of that to Merrillville instead.

And the guy quoted in the article clearly hasn't done his research saying "Crown Point has never had a hotel." Years ago, Crown Point did have a hotel, called the Commercial Hotel, where Antiques on Main is located now. Here is a photo of it from 1910: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hoosie...ns/6162484001/.

Very cool pics!

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by BridgetJones

I hope it doesn't happen. There are plenty of hotels about a 10 minute drive away, and the 109th/Broadway area is busy enough as it is. I suppose I wouldn't mind a small, locally-owned, locally-run, non-chain inn or B&B near the downtown area, but we really don't need anymore suburban sprawl. Let's leave all of that to Merrillville instead.

And the guy quoted in the article clearly hasn't done his research saying "Crown Point has never had a hotel." Years ago, Crown Point did have a hotel, called the Commercial Hotel, where Antiques on Main is located now. Here is a photo of it from 1910: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hoosie...ns/6162484001/.

CP is already past the point of suburban sprawl on the residential side. Now services are needed to service the residents as well as the visitors for the area. The mayor is absolutely right in his sentiments. Why send people to stay somewhere else and spend their money somewhere else after visiting Crown Point during the day?

[Nikko12]

I am excited about the development at 109th and 65, as long as they widen 109th BEFORE it happens. Too frequently in the region, they allow things to be built before upgrading the roads to handle the increased traffic. Just look at Broadway from 93rd to 113th! That should be at least 4 lanes with a center turn lane. They just put a band aid on it improving the intersections several years ago. I was also confused on why, when they added the 109th interchange, did they only make the underpass enough for 2 lanes..they should have thought ahead on that one.

That said, I think it's great that a hotel is planned, and I agree with the mayor to keep the dollars in Crown Point, instead of just saying they can go to Merrillville for a room. I don't agree that all hotels bring in more crime, it all depends on how upscale they are, and the demographics of the area. Obviously a $40 hotel room in Merrillville are going to attract a seedy bunch, when a $150 room in CP is going to cater to a different clientel

[iidreamtheaterii]

Originally Posted by Nikko12

I am excited about the development at 109th and 65, as long as they widen 109th BEFORE it happens. Too frequently in the region, they allow things to be built before upgrading the roads to handle the increased traffic.

I whole heartedly agree. I know the funds are "in progress" of getting approved on the federal level to get to be used on the widening between Broadway and 65. So there's at least the plan in place. But I don't see a developer holding off "until they start" widening it. If all goes well, the funds will come shortly and they'll simply have a concurrent project on their hands. This one will all be at the hands of our trusty speedy government I think. There's no way they don't approve the funds in my opinion. It's a slam dunk spot.

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

CP is already past the point of suburban sprawl on the residential side. Now services are needed to service the residents as well as the visitors for the area. The mayor is absolutely right in his sentiments. Why send people to stay somewhere else and spend their money somewhere else after visiting Crown Point during the day?

I totally agree with your sentiment of it becoming a 'go-to place' in the region. Stay in Crown Point if you're going to visit Crown point. However, having 3 major big box hotels go up in the same spot really kills the feel of the region if you ask me. Having 1 go in makes total sense to me, but if it was planned properly, you'd get what Bridget Jones is describing below. Bring back the cute Bed & Breakfasts first before you throw the 350 bed monsters. It completely changes the feel of the area.

I do see this area at 109th & Broadway being more of the typical commercial than quaint small town businesses like the Square holds though, so maybe there's that hard partition where you limit the big box areas east of Broadway and it'll still feel fine.

Originally Posted by BridgetJones

I hope it doesn't happen. There are plenty of hotels about a 10 minute drive away, and the 109th/Broadway area is busy enough as it is. I suppose I wouldn't mind a small, locally-owned, locally-run, non-chain inn or B&B near the downtown area, but we really don't need anymore suburban sprawl. Let's leave all of that to Merrillville instead.

I really don't understand how Crown Point hasn't been able to attract a retiring couple to run a successful mom and pop bed and breakfast. It would seem like a slam dunk to me. I suppose you need the right people and the right spot to do so. I'm no developer, so I have no idea of what's even available to renovate over off the square, but I would think someone smarter than I would have tried it by now.