Michael Gallenberger

2 weeks ago | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | Michael Gallenberger

Those building a new home in Valparaiso may soon have to pay almost $2,700 toward the city's park system. Valpo Parks recently worked with V3 Companies on the required five-year review of the city's recreation impact fee. It's currently $1,598 for single-family homes. The recommendation would raise that to almost $2,687 next year, plus a five-percent increase every year after that through 2030.

2 weeks ago | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | Michael Gallenberger

More lane closures are coming to Region roadways. Next week, I-65 will have overnight lane closures between Central and 93rd avenues, as crews begin a pavement patching project. The Indiana Department of Transportation says that once the overnight lane closures are complete, traffic will be shifted to the right, to allow crews to work on the left side. Also starting as soon as Monday, U.S. 41 will be down to one lane in each direction over the Kankakee River, for bridge deck overlay work.

2 weeks ago | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | Michael Gallenberger

Nighttime South Shore Line trains will be replaced by buses east of Michigan City, next week. Next Monday through Friday (June 16 through 20), the last two eastbound trains serving South Bend Airport will be replaced by buses from Carroll Avenue to South Bend. The buses won't stop at Hudson Lake and won't carry bikes. Two late-night westbound trains from South Bend to Carroll Avenue will be canceled entirely. The railroad says the busing is to accommodate track construction.

2 weeks ago | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | Michael Gallenberger

Building in Portage may soon cost more. The city council is considering building permit fee adjustments. Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Cherry told council members last week that those fees haven't been raised in about 10 years. "This wasn't just an arbitrary fee," Cherry said. "We actually studied surrounding areas, and we're up to par with everybody else."Under the proposed ordinance, the permit for new residential construction would be $600, plus 28 cents per square foot.

2 weeks ago | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | Michael Gallenberger

Valparaiso may be getting a new subdivision, but some neighbors say they don't want townhomes as part of the plans. Olthof Homes currently has permission from Porter County to build a subdivision of single-family homes at the northwest corner of county roads 175 West and 500 North. But now, it's asking the city to annex the 80-acre property and allow for a mix of single-family homes and townhomes.