projects

Destiny’s Wish

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Easterday Construction was happy to help with the preliminary planning and estimating for Destiny’s project.  We have offered to contribute some additional overstock materials as well if they will help.  We want to wish the other volunteers the best as they embark on this project.  We also sincerely hope that Destiny gets her wish and enjoys it immensely!

Destiny's One Wish - newspaper article

Culver Garden Court Ground Breaking Ceremony

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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mark Your Calendar!

As you may be aware, Garden Court, Inc. was awarded a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop a 13-unit residence for the elderly under the Section 202 Supportive Housing Program.

This new development will be known as the

Culver Garden Court

701 S. Main St., Culver, IN 46511

Please join us for the

Ground Breaking Ceremony

 

Date:                     Friday, April 8, 2011          

Where:                  701 S. Main St., Culver, IN 46511

Time:                     2:00 p.m.               

Speaker:                Rev. Ronald Liechty, President of Garden Court, Inc.        

R.S.V.P. To:            Jodi Gonce @ Real Estate Management Corporation
                                           Phone:  574-935-3600

Culver Garden Court Start-up

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Culver Garden Court had a project closing yesterday at the HUD offices in Indianapolis.  FINALLY!!! The closing for this project was similar to a closing on a house where the mortgage is finalized, the previous property owner receives a check and the ownership transfer is made.  In addition to this, the HUD closing for this project included the finalization of contracts for the construction of the new Garden Court facility.  I was back in the office about 4:30 yesterday afternoon and the first round of purchase orders were sent releasing the surveyor, excavator and concrete contractor to begin work.

Culver Garden Court Site Plan

HUD requires the project to break ground within 10 days.  This should not be a problem at this time of year.  Everyone has been waiting for this project to be released for months.  There will be a separate ground breaking ceremony on April 8th at 2:00pm for anyone interested in attending.  Odds are there will be actual construction going on in the background at that time too.

The project has a 12 month time line.  We anticipate being out of the ground within a couple of months.  We should be weathered in before winter allowing interior finishes to be completed regardless of the weather.

You can see a previous entry on Culver Garden Court here.

Culver Garden Court – Rezoning

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The Plan Commission met on its regular third Tuesday night last month.  Rezoning the newly annexed properties on the south side of Culver was on the agenda.  Unfortunately, they did not have a quorum.  The meeting was rescheduled for the following Monday (Monday of last week) and the hearing was held then. I was unable to attend the hearing as I had a scheduling conflict.  I sent a letter of support (see it here) and I understand the rezoning was passed without remonstration.
 
I was a little surprised that the Plan Commission did not follow the Comprehensive Plan recommendations which I would have interpreted to suggest this area should have been zoned R-2.  The Plan Commission did zone the northern third, which included the McGee Property and the newly subdivided Garden Court Parcel to R-2 as per the agreement with Mr. McGee, but the remaining 2/3rds were zoned R-1.  My letter cited various references in the Comp Plan, but my source on the Plan Commission said that the property owners in that section preferred R-1.
 
Unfortunately, I think this may have been a lack of understanding or foresight on their part.  The basic difference between the two zonings is the density requirements and the allowance for multi-family development under R-2.  There is very little that can be done under R-1 that can’t be done under R-2.  (See the Use Matrix in the Zoning Ordinance here).
 
A continuing theme in the Comp Plan is affordable housing.  The Comp Plan is extremely dated as it was completed over 10 years ago and the housing issue has not been corrected in the past decade.  Allowing higher densities in housing is one way that housing can be made more affordable.  Higher densities are also a goal of the green movement as it promotes more efficient use of land and infrastructure.
 
In any case, I’m pleased to see that the Plan Commission has taken the steps to upgrade the zoning in this area and plan for future development. The Town Council has taken steps to extend water and sewer to the northern third of this area.  That project will be underway this Spring and was necessary for the construction of the Culver Garden Court.  I think this is a positive step for the area and may be the first step towards seeing additional housing starts in Culver.

Bass Lake Shore Club BZA Hearing

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The Shore Club LogoWe have been working with the new owners of The Shore Club to reopen the restaurant on the north end of Bass Lake.  I remember going to The Shore Club for years and I’m excited that we’re involved with its rebirth!

Last Thursday evening we appeared before the Starke County BZA to request a Conditional Use Variance to allow the restaurant to reopen.  It was heartwarming to hear the reminiscences from those there about past good times at The Shore Club.  There was even one unsolicited audience member that we didn’t know who stood up and voiced her support!

The Variance was required because of the gap in restaurant use between the time the restaurant closed and now.  The property is in a Residential District.  The Variance was granted unanimously.

The new owners look forward to reopening the facility as a restaurant and banquet center.  We will be doing interior remodeling and some minor exterior remodeling to bring it into line with ADA standards.  The interior will be updated and modernized.  There will be revisions to increase the parking for the facility as well.  We are excited to be involved with this project.