HIGHLAND | Commercial and recreational redevelopment is creating new opportunities in Highland, according to town officials.
Businesses are moving into Highland, filling existing commercial space and planning new construction, said Cecile Petro, director of redevelopment.
The move of Circle Buick GMC from Schererville to 2440 45th St. in Highland is one example, Petro said.
"They were looking to move to Illinois, but said their customer base is more Indiana. The town council gave them a tax abatement, and we were able to encourage them to move to Highland," she said.
This relocation "will improve that whole district," Petro says.
All retail space at Highland Grove Mall along Indianapolis Boulevard north of Main Street is occupied. Michaels, a store specializing in general crafts and home décor, will soon open in the former Circuit City facility in that mall.
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"It's important to have the mall filled," she said.
In addition, permits have been taken out for two new restaurants to be built in the outlots of the Meijer store across Indianapolis Boulevard from Highland Grove, Petro said.
"This sends a clear signal that Highland is a good place to do business," she said. "We are seeing significant growth."
To further that growth, Highland is establishing a second redevelopment district in addition to the downtown and North Kennedy Avenue district. This second district will include parts of 45th Street, Ridge Road and Indianapolis Boulevard from the Little Calumet River to, but not including, Highland Grove Mall.
"Along this district we will be encouraging greening of the area," Petro said. The designation as a redevelopment district "makes it tax abatement and TIF (tax increment financing) eligible."
A different kind of redevelopment is taking place at Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St.
Once an elementary school, Lincoln Center has served as a Highland community center since the early 1980s. An $11.2 million reconstruction and renovation project is changing the footprint, facilities and energy efficiency of Lincoln Center, said Alex Brown, superintendent of Highland Parks & Recreation. Funds were secured through a Build America bond issue.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Lincoln Center took place Aug. 23 and construction work began Sept. 1. The construction is expected to be finished by the end of this year.
"We're knocking down the sections built in 1945 and 1950. We're keeping the 1965 section with the gym and kitchen and locker rooms and rehabbing it," Brown said.
Among the design plans for the Lincoln Center are:
A west wing to includes a day care center with room for 100 children.
A new parking lot to be constructed of porous pavement to minimize the need for stormwater detention.
"We will have a defined entrance for the community center, a grand atrium and better flow in the building. It will have more of a community center look," Brown said. The construction will also improve the building's energy efficiency by replacing individual furnaces and air conditioning units in each room.
"The amenities at the newly renovated Lincoln Center will help attract even more visitors to events there, Brown said.
"Some of our events attract individuals from all over the country," Brown said. "Lincoln Center is often the first impression people have of our community. This long overdue upgrade will leave an impression we can all be proud of."
Community support for the Lincoln Center renovation was instrumental in this project, Town Council President Mark Herak said.
A month-long petition drive was launched in 2010 to determine if Highland residents supported these renovations. The drive showed the public wanted this facility to be improved. More than 2,700 signatures were gathered -- 2,738 in favor of the renovations and 17 opposed. Lake County officials certified the petition drive signatures.
"We have been absolutely thrilled with the support our residents have for this project," Herak said.
