[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5980606,"mediaKeyId","5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e","parentId",5776246,"title","Owner outlines plans for children’s indoor play zone at 8000 Broadway; council and staff flag public‑safety and parking questions","audioSeconds",1040,"startMs",1680000,"endMs",2720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e&start=1680&end=2720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e/thumbnail_1680000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980606/Town-of-Merrillville/Lake-County/Indiana/Owner-outlines-plans-for-childrens-indoor-play-zone-at-8000-Broadway-council-and-staff-flag-publicsafety-and-parking-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980606-789edcf131cdfe155d5cff8cefe47a27/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698246&Signature=G-ow8QKup2VMbzZVRHbCJZda9aEb~XHZ8UZ8-z4FygcqXm1x2Kwhw0iEp-ZOjEXJaVI0wuhfqqOfMRY0fSQtN53v8OOuDMFod9ejaUucjsHkKxav6xOAob50ZT-ST06roSmnQ50w~g~3CFVnZKQDLl8LKtCyh60W-OykYb42QaapfI3tSwE3MMHXLGWOwyF0C5bNNRTFjYUvbhEWHXMeiZ2EDnUDtRbfRIiQH5dI0BZwSdrBdCrJDsVsCSQXB4UeTj0IcM4KO7fQ2z~cXAVcOGzG7ZFMMMo6dMnmbUyE1F8NDeZyLaA4iO7jToKgodmWwezgkUta8HUVU2lu2TKLiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Merrillville, IN","date","2025-09-17T12:48:37Z","article","Eyad Ibrahim, owner of 8000 Broadway LLC, presented a plan to convert the vacant American Freight (formerly Ethan Allen) building at 8000 Broadway into an indoor children’s play zone aimed at ages roughly 2–11. Ibrahim told the commission the building is about 32,000 square feet, the rehabilitation and parking-lot work would cost about $1.5 million, and the operator intends to charge an entrance fee of $29.99 for up to three hours.

Staff said the proposal requires a special exception and will go to the Board of Zoning Appeals for public hearing; if approved there, it would return to the council for any required action. The planning staff noted the application for special exception is on file and advised the petitioner to appear at a council workshop so council members can ask questions before the BZA hearing.

Commissioners and staff raised several concerns for the petitioner to address before formal approvals: parking capacity and expansion (the site currently has about 63 parking spaces and the owner proposed adding about 25 spaces at the west end), on-site food and concessions (the owner said only small snacks would be sold), occupancy controls and check-in (the operator said an 18‑and‑over adult must check in and one adult may accompany up to three children), and security. Several commissioners urged that the applicant contact the police chief to discuss whether a full‑time security guard or off‑duty police officer should be required as a condition of any approval. Staff and commissioners suggested conditions such as 6‑, 12‑ and 18‑month reviews and a threshold of police calls (for example, a specified number of incidents) that could trigger revocation of the special exception.

No formal action was taken; staff confirmed the next steps: refine the application, consult with the police chief on security expectations, attend an upcoming council workshop (third Wednesday of the month) for additional council input, and then pursue the BZA schedule for a special-exception hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Merrillville Plan Commission Meeting - Sept. 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The owner of 8000 Broadway told the Maryville Planning Commission he plans to convert the vacant American Freight building into a 32,000‑square‑foot indoor children’s play zone, but commissioners and staff identified parking, occupancy and security issues that must be resolved before a special‑exception hearing.","taxTitle","Town of Merrillville, Lake County, Indiana","taxId",56783,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980610,"Commission approves preliminary subdivision for Jenna Properties contingent on sanitary service",683,1047000,1730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e&start=1047&end=1730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e/thumbnail_1047000.jpg","/articles/5980610/Town-of-Merrillville/Lake-County/Indiana/Commission-approves-preliminary-subdivision-for-Jenna-Properties-contingent-on-sanitary-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980610-5b8b063d03df306ab0c6e858477988bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698246&Signature=hMQ88c3f8mrndJT6TIgve67NCG7b9KwaY2DadyqKHhTJvjK-IKwQ045KRz87Plve2PNAGwngC6kxIbRvG56oG2JEdTmiB7eZ6CJsTz93S5QWItHtyMTbUtYIxdO3k7G5o90UIK-hvShAOJPEVHL1vb-PnePlti7NsX8fcgvJx4l1xBWi-guoC7b673n-5197hHVj~ueIkLfnIgDCJyiQiOYOIGVXeJQV8iwK0wMryPUEhdcUENuxjpj3nWxuklLePF6HxRrOJhSpxbZqkJF04slEjK~YfPQxo9zq-2CbkdPIFUdAi3rDd9RLPkM-5ZAUPqJJ9~2w1IbhbIOpoJq~jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maryville Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve a preliminary one-lot subdivision for Jenna Properties at 1299 East 90 Fourth Court, contingent on confirmation of sanitary-sewer availability through the municipal conservancy district (MCD). Commissioner Pettit made the motion; Commissioner Chris Mellon seconded it.

Shannon Green of Contour Land Group, the project civil engineer, told commissioners the petition would combine a roughly 2-acre lot with a 14+-acre lot to create a single 16.43-acre site for a logistics center. Staff reported the proposed subdivision would include curb, gutter, streets, storm sewer, street lights and that downspouts are to be tied into the storm system. Sheila, the planning staff member, said the petitioner had received engineering and stormwater approvals but had not yet received sanitary-sewer approval from MCD; petitioner representatives confirmed they have started the annexation process with MCD and IDEM as part of sanitary approvals.

The staff report and public discussion noted the project is a roughly $20,400,000 private investment in Maryville. Commissioners and staff discussed how sanitary service will be provided: Shannon Green said the sanitary main will run along the east side of the property and along the north side of the adjacent lot (not down 90 Fourth Court) with a manhole stub provided on the north side of Samuel Bulicki Drive for other properties to connect.

Several commissioners encouraged outreach: staff said only Jenna Properties had filed for MCD annexation among nearby owners; other property owners on the north side of 90 Fourth Court had not yet filed. Commissioners also discussed the town parking lot that Jenna had expressed interest in purchasing; staff said the town would obtain two appraisals and compute an average price as a basis for sale discussions.

Action: Motion to approve preliminary subdivision P9PS3-0925 with the contingency that final subdivision approval be conditioned on resolving sanitary-sewer availability with MCD. Mover: Mister Pettit. Second: Chris Mellon. Roll-call vote: Swike — yes; Petty — yes; Presiding Chairman — yes; Daring — yes; Chris Mellon — yes. Outcome: Approved (5-0).","Maryville planners approved a one‑lot subdivision to create a 16.43‑acre parcel for a proposed logistics center at 1299 East 90 Fourth Court, subject to securing sanitary sewer availability from the MCD district.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980614,"Planning commission approves conceptual PUD for 7990 E. 80th Ave.; traffic improvements remain unresolved",892,127000,1019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e&start=127&end=1019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/5980614/Town-of-Merrillville/Lake-County/Indiana/Planning-commission-approves-conceptual-PUD-for-7990-E-80th-Ave-traffic-improvements-remain-unresolved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980614-eb3a5134624b32320627367567d8d81d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698246&Signature=koYMDcZihWE5sKUAVYHhaLMtrEoG6t6T0MtsQZKUMgil2bYmoruQ2uB~peS4JWvENL5cKw~0aaqvc4ohUm1N8Io6C2R~QdCRjAM~HroBd9IkNcPGuMjZnVm4byxNcXG6NCrISzlUEArucXtsOjydlm5D3WdMmZa8sES6uaZWdCHuvjyg3mvXhhRFFuN0iOUuplOb44jh5r1Ztom8LfdyUmUgcHBaL1u~hMFytBhpgUBKD3vwndHwcrNS3nPzkTMxFa1nsY2jSeA25ZJ6AsvSClzOUm9EHb4725zBIgVsTkR~u~idzh1MevWS4E-gopBGNdkorYcSmhpLNb5BTOON7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maryville planning commissioners voted 5-0 to grant conceptual planned-unit-development (PUD) approval for a proposal at 7990 East 80th Avenue that would allow a retail convenience store and flex warehouse on 10.28 acres. The motion, made by Commissioner Petty and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Swike, passed on a roll-call vote with all five members voting yes.

The petitioner, Ross Brown of Advent Real Estate Advisors, said the plan has not changed since the last review and that the team has begun preliminary engineering after receiving favorable comments from staff. Brown said the traffic engineer provided a draft traffic study and the petitioner is reviewing recommended off-site improvements and discussing a required frontage road with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

Commissioners and staff stressed outstanding transportation issues. Commissioner Brian (last name on file as in transcript) repeatedly pointed to an Indiana statute and Maryville code section that require a dedicated turn lane where a primary highway feeds a secondary road; he said past projects required turn-lane lengths of roughly 100–125 feet and that, depending on traffic and lane configuration, this site could require as much as 330 feet of turn lane. Brown said INDOT is requiring that a stub road near the proposed quick-service restaurant be relocated closer to State Road 30 and widened from 35 to 40 feet.

Staff member Sheila read the staff report noting the PUD will provide paved streets, curbs, gutters, storm sewer draining to a retention pond and connections for sanitary sewer if annexation into the sanitary district (MCD) is completed. Brown said the conservancy district has released the petitioner to begin the annexation process to access sanitary sewer service.

Commissioner Sean (last name on file as in transcript) made clear this conceptual approval is not final; he said preliminary engineering must address a checklist of 18 items (including covenants) and that if the town does not get acceptable Randolph Street improvements, he would vote against moving forward at later stages. Brown said the team expects engineering approvals in the fall and, if schedule and weather permit, construction approvals in January but likely physical work starting in spring.

The commission’s action grants conceptual PUD approval and sends the project to the preliminary stage; final engineering, INDOT coordination, any required county easement vacations, and sanitary annexation remain outstanding and were repeatedly identified as prerequisites to further approvals.

Commission Notes: Motion made by Commissioner Petty; second by Commissioner Jeff Swike. Roll-call vote: Swike — yes; Petty — yes; [presiding commissioner] — yes; Daring — yes; Chris Mellon — yes. Outcome: Approved (5-0).","Maryville planning commissioners granted conceptual approval for a planned unit development at 7990 East 80th Avenue that would allow a retail convenience store and flex-warehouse on 10.28 acres, but commissioners and staff flagged the need for off-site turning-lane and frontage-road work with INDOT and the county.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980600,"Preliminary discussion held for NWI Lions United two‑field complex at 9200 Chase; wetlands, utilities and odorant station proximity flagged",726,2949000,3675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e&start=2949&end=3675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776246-a07f0c6f84513049b4c369b9c7a4eb8e/thumbnail_2949000.jpg","/articles/5980600/Town-of-Merrillville/Lake-County/Indiana/Preliminary-discussion-held-for-NWI-Lions-United-twofield-complex-at-9200-Chase-wetlands-utilities-and-odorant-station-proximity-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980600-68991a293b1c24a85bfebd4510792eca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698246&Signature=c8v0MRnmpwGKO9ud6mtipfmJf-Zd5FiZ17S6PI9gDL5JUWroo9cYP45fjcj7LrPAxGOAFyAGFXeun42PFiiEXiHBlUSd3mnUEQIKoVG929zYJ6-RV2qqc7iXawABO3-Nm69irMAOSy19F~K78SWV0jB~I-4R9cn8fvJf5kbuhQK03G6EkGjdxfBp3VU-mw4T6Xol2rpkLud1Foc3LXhPx7Pf1IJPHomzJ3GQ6J0hUizXQ9OI5w9tLW02FnEOJKFHOO4MGKF--BZv2VTY3TVIBKxVVb34zXOK2K5ZEqnZNbVVVCEkJdCXhoksCz1G2TFfVpSMxzLpbNKqNpdNHFOCXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pat Reardon of Reardon Consulting Services presented a conceptual plan to the commission on behalf of Langford and Rance Holding LLC and the NWI Lions United soccer club for two turf fields at a triangular parcel near the government center at 9200 Chase Street. Reardon said the project is preliminary, would require substantial fundraising and is estimated at more than $2 million for turf fields and associated infrastructure.

Reardon said no permanent structures are currently planned; porta‑potties would be used for restrooms and staff expect to rely partly on overflow parking across the street and County or Crown Point coordination for additional parking. The petitioner and staff noted the site is adjacent to a planned roundabout as part of a separate road project, and the commission suggested overlaying roundabout drawings on the field layout to identify any conflicts.

Commissioners and staff raised several due‑diligence matters: wetlands and floodplain review, drainage and geotechnical studies, outreach to adjacent property owners (several parcels on the north side of the trail are owned by different parties, including NIPSCO), potential need for netting or tall protective fencing to keep balls off nearby roads, and the proximity of a NIPSCO odorant/chemical station. Commissioner Brian described the odorant station’s operations and warned that accidental releases or maintenance activities at that facility can produce a strong mercaptan odor that can be noticed for miles under certain conditions; town staff said they will investigate the risk and note the proximity in future reviews.

Pat Reardon and the club members said they will proceed with due diligence, contact adjacent jurisdictions, and return with more detailed engineering and funding plans. No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff said they would remain informed as the project progresses.","Developers and consultants outlined a conceptual plan for two turf soccer fields at 9200 Chase Street for the NWI Lions United club; the project is preliminary and subject to due‑diligence steps including wetland delineation, geotechnical work, fundraising and review of nearby NIPSCO odorant‑station impacts and possible roundabout encroachment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Owner outlines plans for children’s indoor play zone at 8000 Broadway; council and staff flag public‑safety and parking questions

Commission approves preliminary subdivision for Jenna Properties contingent on sanitary service

Planning commission approves conceptual PUD for 7990 E. 80th Ave.; traffic improvements remain unresolved

Preliminary discussion held for NWI Lions United two‑field complex at 9200 Chase; wetlands, utilities and odorant station proximity flagged