Public works clarifies Washington Park Boulevard streetscape work; letters to some landowners to be reissued

Wendy Vashet, Michigan City director of public works, briefed the council June 3 on the Washington Park Boulevard streetscape project, which covers Washington Park Boulevard from Lake Avenue to Lauren Road and includes new sidewalks, drainage upgrades and ADA ramp improvements.

Vashet said a consultant inadvertently sent incorrect letters to a subset of landowners when the project began. City staff and the city engineer, Tim Weir, have met with affected property owners and the consultant will issue corrected letters clarifying that no permanent property purchases are planned; the communications will describe temporary easements only, mostly for driveway or grading work. Vashet said only landowners potentially affected by temporary easements will receive the corrected letter.

The consultant has offered to hold a public meeting to explain impacts and answer questions; public works staff said they will schedule that meeting as soon as feasible. Vashet also noted that the project is a continuation of an earlier phase of Washington Park Boulevard streetscape improvements and that staff are working to resolve the notification error.

No formal council action was requested or taken at the June 3 meeting; this was an informational update from the director of public works. The city engineer and council members were copied in the discussion, and Councilman Coulter had raised concerns previously about property-owner notifications.

What to expect next: corrected letters to affected landowners and a public meeting to explain temporary easements and project timing.