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Burns Harbor RDC votes to apply for Safe Streets for All implementation grant for South Babcock connection
Summary
The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission voted to apply for the Safe Streets for All implementation grant to fund the South Babcock connection project after staff recommended pursuing a lower-cost trail project; commissioners asked for more detailed written findings from the consultant before future steps.
The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission voted to apply for the Safe Streets for All implementation grant for a South Babcock connection project, a trail-oriented improvement intended to improve pedestrian access to Trail Creek and the Dune Prairie Trail.
Commissioners approved a motion to submit an implementation grant application in the current funding cycle, with the application deadline noted in the meeting as June 26. Staff had recommended selecting a trail project for implementation funding because trail work would likely be lower cost and have a shorter timeline than major roadway intersection improvements.
The action followed extended discussion among commissioners about whether the commission had received and reviewed the consultant’s full written findings. Commissioner Brad urged that Global Engineering (the consultant identified in the meeting) be asked to present the survey results and final recommendations in a short presentation to the commission before further commitments are made. Jack (chairperson) and Tina (staff member) said the committee and Global had produced a final action plan and that survey work was one component of a broader data collection effort that also included intersection observations and field reviews.
Tina told commissioners the implementation grant window is short and said the commission could choose to wait for a later cycle if it preferred; she recommended pursuing a trail project now to maintain momentum. Commissioners also discussed the redevelopment commission’s limited funds over time—the staff presentation noted the commission’s TIF dollars are “sunsetting in 02/1932” as recorded in the meeting minutes.
Motion and vote: The commission moved and seconded a motion to apply for the Safe Streets for All implementation grant for the South Babcock connection. Roll-call votes in the record were: Mister Enslin — yes; Commissioner Teblin — yes; Commissioner McGraw — abstain; Mister McCart — yes; Commissioner Bozak — yes. The motion passed.
Commissioners asked staff to invite Global Engineering (the consultant) to present the final action-plan findings and the survey results in a concise session so commissioners can see the detailed evidence behind the recommended project selection before the commission approves further spending.
Background: The Safe Streets for All action-plan process included resident surveys, mailed notices, and engineering data collection. Staff said Global identified a handful of potential projects from that work; staff recommended trail development among those priorities because of lower cost and alignment with recent RDC trail investments.
The commission approved moving forward with the application but recorded requests for clearer written documentation and a short consultant presentation before advancing to implementation-phase commitments that would obligate funds.
