Board approves minor timeline amendment to Newport Landing development agreement

The La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety on Sept. 3 approved a minor amendment to the development agreement for the Newport Landing project, aligning the developer’s construction start deadline with the planned closing date.

Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, told the board the item is a redevelopment commission project that requires certain approvals by city bodies because portions of the development agreement touch city‑governed provisions. “Although it's a redevelopment commission project, we do have aspects of the development agreement, which, are governed by the city proper, and so we're presenting this amendment to both the Board of Public Works and the city council as well,” Cook said.

Cook said the amendment revises section 7, the construction timeline, to require the developer to begin construction no later than April 1, 2026, to give time between a planned property closing and the start of construction. He said the redevelopment commission and city council had already taken related actions and that the amendment is intended to avoid repeated extension requests.

Board members asked about the expected opening date for the project once construction begins. Cook and staff indicated the developer and design‑build contractor anticipate starting construction in the fall and hope for an opening by late summer or early fall of the following year. The presenter emphasized that timelines remain subject to normal construction scheduling and any permitting or unforeseen issues.

Board members approved the amendment by voice vote; the redevelopment commission had already acted and the city council considered related approvals the night before.

What happens next: City staff and the developer will proceed toward closing on the property and the contractor will prepare to mobilize for construction.