Michigan developer proposing mixed use project with 54 houses and retail space in Burns Harbor
The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group, a joint venture, have offered $25,000 to the town of Burns Harbor for the land.
As part of the agreement, the developers would assume all costs of building the roads, sewers and utilities, along with soil analysis and wetland mitigation.
There would also be 8,000 square feet of retail space built on the north end of the property.
The developer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the only one to respond to a Request for Offer (RFO) advertisement from the town of Burns Harbor.
The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission opened the bid at its June 18 meeting. The commission could announce at its July 9 meeting whether they will accept or reject the offer.
Councilwoman Roseann Bozak, who is chair of the commission, denied a public records request from The Post-Tribune at the June 18 meeting to release details of the proposal. She cited that the offer needed to be reviewed first by legal counsel.
Burns Harbor Town Attorney Clay Patton publicly released the details of the offer from The Sloane Avenue Group and The Redstone Group this week.
The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group stated that they are trying to maintain the affordability of homes on the site, which explains the $1,000 per acre offer for the 25 acres.
The town in 2018 originally purchased 28 acres at Haglund Road and Indiana 149 for $250,000 from the Duneland School Corporation.
'We are asking the Redevelopment Commission to incentivize development via a reduced purchase price,' the offer states. 'It is essential for the end-numbers to work, and given high interest rates and elevated construction costs, a low land basis will allow us to stay focused on providing high quality homes at an approachable price.'
The offer doesn't reveal what the potential costs would be for the roads, sewers, utilities and other amenities.
In 2023, Burns Harbor had to decline a $960,000 state grant from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), which would have paid for underground utilities.
The reason for rejecting the grant was that Holladay Properties in 2023 withdrew from a $32 million partnership with the town to develop the property. That project would have been anchored by a new Burns Harbor Town Hall and community center alongside apartments, townhouses and retail space.
Tina Rongers, the town's consultant, has said that this time around, 'The project will be developer-driven as opposed to a public-private partnership.' She said she didn't have an estimate on what the proposed infrastructure costs would be if they were all covered by Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group.
The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group state in their proposal that it has experience developing mixed-use projects in the region.
Tryon Meadow is a proposed 218-unit community on 39 acres within a short driving distance to downtown Michigan City that includes single-family homes, townhomes and low-rise rental buildings.
The developer also has a proposal for 160 single-family homes on 35 acres of land in LaPorte. The Hunter Woods subdivision would be located near the $1 billion Microsoft data center that is going to be built there.
In Burns Harbor, the plan calls for a community of 54 single-family homes to be built south of the Marquette Greenway, which runs diagonally from the southwest to the northeast through the property.
'Our site plan concept is designed to create a tight-knit smaller community within the greater Burns Harbor community,' the plan states.
Lennar Homes would be contracted to build the houses on lots which would be 45 feet wide and 120 feet long. The housing development would be accessed from two entrances off Haglund Road.
'These lot sizes strike a balance between density and affordability, as well as promote walkability in the neighborhood as wider lot sizes, in our opinion, isolate residents from one another,' the plan states.
The 8,000 square feet of retail space would be north of the Marquette Greenway and have 80 parking spaces.
It is envisioned that the businesses would serve local residents and tourists. When the Marquette Greenway is finished, it will stretch from Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan, and is expected to become a tourist attraction, along with the state and national parks.
North of the trail, there would still be 10 acres of open green space. The town also still owns an adjoining 4 acres, which could be the site of a future town building.
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Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Burns Harbor delays deciding on land offer because of wetlands issue
The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission is delaying a decision on whether to accept a $25,000 offer from a Michigan developer for 25 acres off Ind. 149 and Haglund Road until they learn more about how wetlands on the property could impact construction. The commission voted Wednesday to contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would determine what wetlands are under federal jurisdiction on the property. It is believed that at least 12 acres on the northwest side of the property are under federal jurisdiction and unsuitable for construction. The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group joint venture of Grand Rapids, Michigan, last month was the only one to respond to a Request for Offer from the town of Burns Harbor. John Kavchak, a partner in the Sloane Avenue Group, asked the commission to accept their offer for the land, contingent on what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finds. But commission members stated they wanted more time. Commission member Brad Enslen noted that they learned only three or four days before Wednesday's meeting about how the wetlands issue could affect potential construction on the property. Commission member Jack McGraw said how the wetlands issue affects potential construction is the big concern. 'We are on the same page. We are equally concerned,' Kavchak said. Kavchak told the Redevelopment Commission that they are still excited about their mixed-use proposal that would build 54 houses and retail space. He noted that the town would benefit from increased revenue from property and sales taxes on what is now vacant property. Houses would be mostly built south of the Marquette Greenway Trail that proceeds from the southwest to the northeast portion of the property. Soil Solutions of Valparaiso, retained by the developers, has found in their analysis that the acreage on the northwest side is under federal wetlands jurisdiction, which is why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must be consulted. There are isolated wetlands on the south end, which are under the state's jurisdiction, where construction could occur with mitigation. Kavchak said that he was even willing to let the town keep the 12 acres of wetlands property and still pay the same $25,000 price for the remaining property. Despite the challenges, Kavchak said that they have the 'willingness' to absorb the infrastructure costs and work through all of the wetland mitigation issues, which he said could exceed $200,000 alone, and in the end still provide value to the town. One resident questioned whether the town was getting paid enough money for the land. Jim Meeks asked commission members what the appraised value of the land was. Commission members said they didn't have the appraisal available. Meeks said that every developer normally has to absorb infrastructure costs, so that part of the offer is not unusual. Meeks said he believed that the appraisal would show the land is worth more than $1,000 per acre and he felt the developer's offer amounted to 'stealing' and was 'ridiculous.' 'That's a slap in the face to every resident in this town and taxpayer,' Meeks said. Donna Meeks asked the town to share the appraisal of the land at its next meeting. The town in 2018 paid $250,000 to the Duneland School Corporation for 28 acres at Haglund Road and Ind. 149. Gayle Van Loon asked the commission who was going to pay for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study. Commission members said that hasn't been determined yet because their vote was only to contact the agency. Tina Rongers, the economic development consultant, said that the developer has paid for Soil Solutions of Valparaiso to do its evaluation of wetlands on the property. After the meeting, Kavchak told The Post-Tribune that he believes that because of the wetlands issue, the infrastructure costs could end up being higher than normal and run close to $2 million.
Chicago Tribune
29-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Michigan developer proposing mixed use project with 54 houses and retail space in Burns Harbor
A Michigan developer is proposing a mixed-use development of 54 houses and retail space on 25 acres at Haglund Road and Indiana 149 in Burns Harbor. The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group, a joint venture, have offered $25,000 to the town of Burns Harbor for the land. As part of the agreement, the developers would assume all costs of building the roads, sewers and utilities, along with soil analysis and wetland mitigation. There would also be 8,000 square feet of retail space built on the north end of the property. The developer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the only one to respond to a Request for Offer (RFO) advertisement from the town of Burns Harbor. The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission opened the bid at its June 18 meeting. The commission could announce at its July 9 meeting whether they will accept or reject the offer. Councilwoman Roseann Bozak, who is chair of the commission, denied a public records request from The Post-Tribune at the June 18 meeting to release details of the proposal. She cited that the offer needed to be reviewed first by legal counsel. Burns Harbor Town Attorney Clay Patton publicly released the details of the offer from The Sloane Avenue Group and The Redstone Group this week. The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group stated that they are trying to maintain the affordability of homes on the site, which explains the $1,000 per acre offer for the 25 acres. The town in 2018 originally purchased 28 acres at Haglund Road and Indiana 149 for $250,000 from the Duneland School Corporation. 'We are asking the Redevelopment Commission to incentivize development via a reduced purchase price,' the offer states. 'It is essential for the end-numbers to work, and given high interest rates and elevated construction costs, a low land basis will allow us to stay focused on providing high quality homes at an approachable price.' The offer doesn't reveal what the potential costs would be for the roads, sewers, utilities and other amenities. In 2023, Burns Harbor had to decline a $960,000 state grant from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), which would have paid for underground utilities. The reason for rejecting the grant was that Holladay Properties in 2023 withdrew from a $32 million partnership with the town to develop the property. That project would have been anchored by a new Burns Harbor Town Hall and community center alongside apartments, townhouses and retail space. Tina Rongers, the town's consultant, has said that this time around, 'The project will be developer-driven as opposed to a public-private partnership.' She said she didn't have an estimate on what the proposed infrastructure costs would be if they were all covered by Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group. The Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group state in their proposal that it has experience developing mixed-use projects in the region. Tryon Meadow is a proposed 218-unit community on 39 acres within a short driving distance to downtown Michigan City that includes single-family homes, townhomes and low-rise rental buildings. The developer also has a proposal for 160 single-family homes on 35 acres of land in LaPorte. The Hunter Woods subdivision would be located near the $1 billion Microsoft data center that is going to be built there. In Burns Harbor, the plan calls for a community of 54 single-family homes to be built south of the Marquette Greenway, which runs diagonally from the southwest to the northeast through the property. 'Our site plan concept is designed to create a tight-knit smaller community within the greater Burns Harbor community,' the plan states. Lennar Homes would be contracted to build the houses on lots which would be 45 feet wide and 120 feet long. The housing development would be accessed from two entrances off Haglund Road. 'These lot sizes strike a balance between density and affordability, as well as promote walkability in the neighborhood as wider lot sizes, in our opinion, isolate residents from one another,' the plan states. The 8,000 square feet of retail space would be north of the Marquette Greenway and have 80 parking spaces. It is envisioned that the businesses would serve local residents and tourists. When the Marquette Greenway is finished, it will stretch from Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan, and is expected to become a tourist attraction, along with the state and national parks. North of the trail, there would still be 10 acres of open green space. The town also still owns an adjoining 4 acres, which could be the site of a future town building.
Chicago Tribune
19-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Burns Harbor receives a lone bid for land it owns and hopes to be developed
Burns Harbor hopes to sell land it owns off Ind. 149 so it can be developed, two years after a developer withdrew from a $32 million project in partnership with the town. The Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday opened a bid from one company to buy 25 acres the town owns at Haglund Road and Ind. 149. The property is located across the road from the current Town Hall. Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group of Grand Rapids, Michigan, proposed to pay $25,000 for the land and to assume all costs of infrastructure, engineering, soil analysis and potential wetland mitigation. It was the only company that responded to the town's Request for Offer (RFO). Commission members didn't discuss the proposal because they wanted time to review and evaluate it. The proposal will also be reviewed by the town's consultant, Tina Rongers, and Town Attorney Clay Patton. A decision may be announced at the Redevelopment Commission's July 11 meeting. Councilwoman Roseann Bozak, who is the commission president, wouldn't release a copy of the proposal, citing that it hasn't been reviewed yet by the legal counsel. Bozak said they are looking for a mix of residential and commercial on the land, like the town intended to develop with its prior partner, Holladay Properties. 'We intend on sticking with that,' Bozak said. She wouldn't share what the Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group are proposing, beyond taking care of infrastructure, engineering, soil analysis and potential wetland mitigation. A BP pipeline does go through the property. The relationship between Burns Harbor and any party that buys the property will be different than the last time. 'The project will be developer-driven as opposed to a public-private partnership,' Rongers said. Burns Harbor and Holladay Properties had originally reached their agreement in 2019, but plans were then delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Holladay Properties announced in June 2023 that they couldn't go forward because of economic conditions. As a result, the town had to decline a $960,000 state grant from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), which would have been used to install underground utilities. The town also spent money on a property master plan, Rongers said. The plan's goal was to create a new town center, which would have been anchored by a 22,800-square-foot town hall and community center. Another key amenity was that a section of the Marquette Greenway trail would be built on the property. The development also would have had 40 single-family townhouses, five multi-family luxury apartment buildings with 138 units, along with 5,800 square feet of commercial space in the ground floors of three of the apartment units. During the past two years, a 0.8-mile section of the trail has been built on the property. The Marquette Greenway, when finished by multiple communities, will eventually stretch 60 miles from Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan. Rongers said that the property is currently zoned residential. Burns Harbor will still retain a 4-acre parcel off of Ind. 149 neighboring the 25 acres to be sold. The vacant lot, which once was the location of a community center, could be the future location for a new town hall. The town in 2018 purchased 28 acres at Haglund Road and Ind. 149 for $250,000 from the Duneland School Corporation.
