PORTAGE | Bruce Dombey worked for National Steel's Midwest Division for years. He remembers the sanitation plant and waste lagoons on Lake Michigan's edge.

For the first time Wednesday, Dombey, of Portage, got a glimpse of what that 60 acres -- once considered a wasteland -- will become.

"It's great. I'm real glad they're doing this," Dombey said, adding he likes the idea of a river walk and anything to get people to the dunes and lake.

Dombey was one of a handful who turned out in the early hours of Wednesday's three-hour open house to review the environmental assessment for the proposed Portage Lakefront Park. Those in attendance had a chance to review plans, meet with interested parties and submit comments. The comment period remains open until June 15.

The environmental assessment was written by JJR of Chicago, the primary consultant for the project.

It recommends moving ahead with development of the park, including improved roadways, parking areas, a 1,200-square-foot pavilion, overlooks, fishing piers and pedestrian walk.

Amy Eckland of JJR said the options ranged from doing nothing to modest improvements to the present proposal. It was a balance of having the "least amount of impacts with the most amount of benefits."

Once the comment period has ended, they will be reviewed by JJR and responses will be made.

Tom Anderson, executive director of the Save the Dunes Council, has been involved with the project since its inception.

Anderson said there have been some changes made already, such as lighting.

"The building is very innovative," said Anderson, adding the group is encouraged by the proposal and having the "example on the ground" for future developments along the lakeshore. They're also pleased with the emphasis on education and native plants.

There is one issue Anderson feels is unresolved: Long-term maintenance of the park.

"It will be very expensive to manage and operate over the years," he said, adding the report doesn't identify who will be responsible for those costs.

The land is owned by the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which entered an operating agreement with the City of Portage for construction and operation of the park.

The city recently received a nearly $6.4 million grant from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority for the construction of the park, slated to begin in November with completion in 2008.