An advisory council gathered to outline agenda items for redeveloping the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
“It’s a monumental moment for our city as we begin addressing what’s next for the prison site,” Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said in a press release. “We look forward to having our community members, leaders and industry experts guide the conversation, spark ideas and lay out a foundation for the future.”
In August, a collection of industry leaders was approved to develop a master plan and design as part of the redevelopment strategy. Farr Associates, McKenna, Zimmerman-Volk Associates and Sam Schwartz will analyze, plan, design and present recommendations for the property.
The advisory council members include:
- Mayor Nelson Deuitch
- Antonio Conley, Michigan City Planning Commission, Vibrant Michigan City, Temerity Store
- Daisy Lee, Michigan City Common Council
- Tim Bietry, Michigan City Common Council
- Amandula Anderson, Community Development & Housing Expert, IFF
- Bill Taft, Economic Development Expert, LISC
- Vince Ash, State Economic Development Liaison, IEDC
- Sheila Matias, Michigan City Redevelopment Commission
- Randy Novak, La Porte County Government
- Stephanie Oberlie, EDCMC Liaison, Harbour Trust & Investment Management
- Tina Mahone, Resident, Vibrant Michigan City, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
- Tristan Smith, Urban Enterprise Association
- Pastor Kimberly Williams, NWI Ministerial Conference, New Disciple Love Fellowship Church
- Deshawn Gordon, Resident
- Kurtess Gillespie, Resident, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
- Erica Miller, Resident, Vibrant Michigan City, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
“Having everyone together allowed us to ignite passion for the project and outline what is needed and what is to be expected as we undertake and embrace this huge opportunity,” Clarence Hulse, EDCMC executive director, said.
Farr Associates and their team are putting together case studies of similar projects from around the country for comparison. They are analyzing current site conditions and creating a market analysis.
Doug Farr, Farr Associates Architecture & Urban Design president, said community input is vital to developing an overall solid strategy.
“Our goal is to try to engage as many people as possible. We plan to robustly engage the public both virtually and in person,” Farr said. “We start by interviewing a short list of stakeholders with unique and relevant insights: prison staff, city officials, the development community, neighbors, etc.”
Public workshops devoted to brainstorming, design and developing a final plan will also take place.
The Indiana Department of Correction announced in August 2023 that the prison would close after the completion of a new 4,200 bed facility on the Westville Correctional Facility campus. The new prison will replace both facilities.
