South Shore Extention (Gary, Schererville, Crown Point: real estate, homes, taxes)

[cmitseff]

It's probably been debated on here before, but it would really be nice if the South Shore had trains that ran into central and south lake county. Similar to what the Metra has in Illinois where it branches off, the SS can do something like that. For example, have a track that runs into Munter then South into Dyer, Schererville, and Crown Point. Considering that the large majority of the SS riders come from these towns, it would make it so much nicer for all of us.

Now, most may say "not in this economy"! Well, taxes are going to be raised soon anyway, some of that money, and part of the taxes already being earned can be allocated toward this project. Also, I've seen figures that state a project like this would create about 20,000 jobs.

Man would that be nice and save me a bunch of time in my commute!

[domergurl]

yep! sure would!!!!

When I lived in Valpo, you wouldn't believe the reactions of the locals I received when I mentioned that Valpo has the infrastructure for a passenger train ... why not convert it ... oh my, you'd think I told some of these people that aliens were coming to town. One person flat out told me that areas with commuter train stations attract the wrong kind of crowd ... yea, she said that! I said, yea, Naperville is such a slum ... sheesh!!!!!

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by domergurl

yep! sure would!!!!

When I lived in Valpo, you wouldn't believe the reactions of the locals I received when I mentioned that Valpo has the infrastructure for a passenger train ... why not convert it ... oh my, you'd think I told some of these people that aliens were coming to town. One person flat out told me that areas with commuter train stations attract the wrong kind of crowd ... yea, she said that! I said, yea, Naperville is such a slum ... sheesh!!!!!

Amtrak used to have service through Valpo ... when it stopped was before my time out here.

And I'm not a fan of public subsidies for commuter rail.

It's quite possible I missed the local debate over it, but I'm curious why Valpo's Costas didn't pursue the commuter rails option instead of the Chicago Dash (the bus line).

But I am wondering why there ever wasn't a public/private partnership with revitalizing those lines - and if there was, and it never came to fruition, the most obvious answer for why it never happened would be that the projected ridership wouldn't sustain the costs.

Anyone know? Or have some phenomenal googling skills to find out?

[domergurl]

when I lived in Valpo, it seemed the Chicago commuters were perfectly happy either driving or driving up to the south shore station. And then again, I'm not sure what % of the Valpo pop. actually work downtown. I think most Chicago commuters tended to live near the train line.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by domergurl

when I lived in Valpo, it seemed the Chicago commuters were perfectly happy either driving or driving up to the south shore station. And then again, I'm not sure what % of the Valpo pop. actually work downtown. I think most Chicago commuters tended to live near the train line.

Costas is all about revitalizing the downtown area - and for the most part, I really think he's done a fantastic job. I don't think there's another downtown in NWI that can rival Valpo's.

He's also of the "if we build it, they will come" mentality ... so I've always wondered why there wasn't a bigger push for the rails option from his administration. Unless there's a huge road block that they couldn't work around.

I agree that most Chgo commuters live north ... and I'm really hard pressed to think of anyone in my immediate circle who commutes downtown. Most people I know are small business owners - who's businesses are either here in town or in the immediate surrounding area.

Valpo definitely has the potential, IMHO, to become the next Naperville - but only with the rails. As a real estate agent, I would welcome it.

As a resident, I'm not too sure.

[grmasterb]

I'm not aware of any public transit system in the world where the ridership itself pays enough to sustain the costs. They all require some sort of public subsidy. Then again, so do roads.

IMHO, those opposing the South Shore extension habor a short-sighted view. Yes, there would be substantial upfront costs and a miminal increase in the tax burden. But extending the South Shore would allow Lake and Porter counties to evolve into what they should naturally become -- bedroom communities for Chicago workers. More people, I believe, would consider NWI as a place to live. Nice homes would be constructed, the tax base would increase and services catering to those residents would sprout up, thus creating jobs in the region.

I'm always amazed at the ignorant statements made by some NWI residents regarding commuter trains attracting the wrong element. Do they not ever head over the border to see communities like Naperville, Downer's Grove, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Forest, etc.??

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I'm not aware of any public transit system in the world where the ridership itself pays enough to sustain the costs. They all require some sort of public subsidy. Then again, so do roads.

IMHO, those opposing the South Shore extension habor a short-sighted view. Yes, there would be substantial upfront costs and a miminal increase in the tax burden. But extending the South Shore would allow Lake and Porter counties to evolve into what they should naturally become -- bedroom communities for Chicago workers. More people, I believe, would consider NWI as a place to live. Nice homes would be constructed, the tax base would increase and services catering to those residents would sprout up, thus creating jobs in the region.

I'm always amazed at the ignorant statements made by some NWI residents regarding commuter trains attracting the wrong element. Do they not ever head over the border to see communities like Naperville, Downer's Grove, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Forest, etc.??

don't forget, what most of them see in their minds are Gary & Harvey just over the border.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by domergurl

don't forget, what most of them see in their minds are Gary & Harvey just over the border.

I have no doubt that there are some racial undertones in those statements ... but the people who don't want mass transit brought to NWI also don't want outsiders in general.

They talk about the good ol' days before Valpo & Porter county got built up ... and I do see their point - they grew up (and loved) their sleepy little town. The last thing they want out here is big McMansions, roundabouts and Target.

[domergurl]

I remember the brouhaha with Meijer ... they wanted to build a brand new store in Valpo, but the establishment said no way, so they went over to merrillville. I was shocked we the new Target opened up!

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by domergurl

I remember the brouhaha with Meijer ... they wanted to build a brand new store in Valpo, but the establishment said no way, so they went over to merrillville. I was shocked we the new Target opened up!

I heard somebody wanted to build a development in Chesterton that would've included Target and Kohls, but it was squashed due to community opposition. Not sure how true that is, although it's my impression that folks in Chesterton are determined to maintain the small, quaint village feel there.