Latest news with #Barloga
Chicago Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Burns Harbor trail efforts earn Marquette Greenway award
The nonprofit Greenways Foundation recently gave Burns Harbor its Outstanding Local Government award for its work on the Marquette Greenway. The Greenways Foundation champions Indiana's trail networks and highlights leadership and trail projects across the state. Mitch Barloga, trail czar at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and the foundation's board president, called Burns Harbor 'plucky' for its 'huge commitment to this quality of life issue.' 'Burns Harbor is a great example of how these trails can improve community stature in the region,' he said. Through the Town Council and the Redevelopment Commission, guided by consultant Tina Rongers, the town has been aggressive in building sections of the trail. 'It might be one of the nicest parts of the trail through there,' Barloga said. A section of the trail opened last year winds through an open area where the town hopes to attract a developer to bring residential and commercial development to the small town. 'It's really exciting to have the trail as a centerpiece for this,' Redevelopment Commission President Roseann Bozak said. 'Not many other towns and cities along the Marquette Greenway had the benefit of getting the trail first and being able to bring that into the development.' That's a good example of trail-oriented development, Barloga said. 'They really leaned into that heavily with this development.' 'We are still working on the final piece in Burns Harbor that will connect to the town of Porter,' Bozak said. 'We're really excited about that collaboration. It's not often that we get to collaborate with neighboring towns. Hopefully, this opens the doors to more collaboration in the future.' 'I believe the construction on this should begin in the fall, providing there are no hiccups along the way,' Bozak said. 'It's been a community ahead of the curve when it comes to quality-of-life issues,' Barloga said. Bozak said the award is appreciated. 'The town has had so many ups and downs in the past few years. It's really nice to see the hard work get recognized and rewarded.' Town Council President Jennifer McHargue said in a news release that the trail has been popular, improving the health of walkers and bikers. 'We are proud to offer regional trail amenities that people can enjoy just in town or venture into neighboring communities along southern Lake Michigan,' she said. When completed, the 60-mile trail will stretch from Chicago's South Side to New Buffalo. For Burns Harbor, funding the trail sections has been challenging. In 2014, the town began using tax increment financing to fund new planning and infrastructure projects. The town's master plan identified the Marquette Greenway as a key project. In 2017, the RDC received a $7 million state transportation grant to build the trail. However, the town couldn't gain right-of-way access from Norfolk Southern, so the town changed gears and used money from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Indiana Department of Transportation. Between 2019 and 2021, Burns Harbor built the 1.5-mile segment from the western edge of town to Ind. 149, by Town Hall. The phase opened last year stretches from Ind. 149 to Indiana Dunes National Park. 'Collaboration and celebration are keys to our success,' Bozak said. 'In Burns Harbor, we persevere in the face of challenges because we love our community, which is our home. We are raising our families here and building amenities like trails in hopes the next generation of residents will stay and raise their families, too,' she said.
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Crown Point breaks ground on next phase of bike trail
Earth Day was on the calendar and in the mind of at least one participant at the groundbreaking held Tuesday for the next phase of the Veterans Memorial Bike Trail. Dale Brier, Deputy Director at Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Division of State Parks, spoke briefly at the ceremony held at the intersection of Grant and Monitor streets. Brier said he couldn't think of a more perfect day to celebrate the start of a new bike trail. 'Thanks to all participants. Happy Earth Day,' Brier said. This next bike trail phase, approximately one mile, will connect a section of the Crown Point trail that is already completed. The new trail will run east from the Erie-Lackawanna Trail along Summit Street and connect to the current Veterans Memorial Trail at Indiana Avenue and North Street, near the Sportsplex. The new trail is expected to be completed by this fall, city officials said. Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said going forward with the new bike trail 'a quality of life' issue for those who reside in the city and those who visit the city. He thanked all those who were part of the project including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), engineers and city officials. 'We can't do this ourselves. It takes a partnership and team effort,' Land said. The city was awarded a grant for the extension through the State of Indiana's Next Level Trails Program. 'We are looking forward to completing this part of the trail,' he said. Land also thanked veterans, including those from the American Legion who came to the event and were asked to participate in the ceremonial shoveling of dirt to start the project. 'It means a lot that you are here backing us up,' he said. Mitch Barloga, the active transportation planner for NIRPC, called the bike trail 'a great step forward going through the heart of an older historic city.' Barloga spoke of the many years that go into the start and finish with initial planning for this project going back some 25 years. 'I'm excited to say the least,' Barloga said. Barloga said he was also honored to bring honor to those who served. 'We believe we have the first trail dedicated to veterans,' he said. The first phase of the Veterans Memorial Bike Trail was completed in 2021. The entire trail will ultimately be 2.84 miles and will connect to both the Pennsy Greenway and the Erie Lackawanna bike trails. The trail generally follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad Corridor.
