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LaPorte County redevelopment panel flags access, easement problems at Kingsbury Industrial Park
Summary
Commissioners said lack of public roads beyond Hupp Road is hindering development at Kingsbury Industrial Park and advised targeted outreach to property owners after mailings yielded limited donations or easements. Appraisals for a parcel on 3rd Line Road returned roughly $300,000–$400,000; the commission declined immediate eminent-domain action.
LaPorte County redevelopment commissioners spent the bulk of their Oct. 22 meeting discussing persistent access and property-control problems that officials say are constraining development at Kingsbury Industrial Park.
"Absent Hupp Road, there are no public ways in Kingsbury Industrial Park," said Matt Reardon, a county staff member, summarizing the commission's view that the county cannot prudently spend public funds to improve property it does not own or control. That lack of clear public right-of-way complicates efforts to attract investment, Reardon said.
The discussion outlined the county's effort to obtain donations or easements from private landowners. Clerk Mary Jane told the commission staff sent 61 certified letters offering to accept donated parcels or easements; eight landowners have signed offers so far, one refused, and roughly 47 owners had not responded. Reardon said the campaign is intended to "perfect ownership, to provide public access, and to create a pathway to generate revenue and resources from grants and tax increment financing to pave those roads."
Commissioners and staff also reviewed disposition options for a county parcel on 3rd Line Road. Reardon said two independent appraisals returned values "in the $400,000 range" and "in the $300,000 range." He said the commission will consider placing the property on the market or issuing an RFP, but cautioned that lack of access may reduce the parcel's marketability.
Board members discussed alternatives to obtaining landowner cooperation. Commissioners repeatedly said condemnation or eminent domain would be costly and protracted and should not be pursued without a specific project in hand. Instead, they directed staff to pursue targeted outreach and informational sessions for owners on roads that have the best response rates, and to present a narrower plan at a future meeting.
Commissioners also received brief updates on related TIF districts. Staff said the 421/I-94 TIF remains focused on resolving utility conveyance and sewer hookups with Michigan City, and that the 39 North TIF is winding down after some property was annexed by the city.
The commission made no formal policy change at this meeting beyond instructing staff to pursue targeted owner outreach and to return with recommendations.
Looking ahead, staff said they will identify a pilot road with sufficient owner responses, hold directed informational sessions for nearby owners, and bring back a recommendation to the board before initiating any funding or condemnation steps.
