Hobart should link lake with downtown, consultants say

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:15AM

HOBART — As the city looks to reinvest in its downtown, it should capitalize on Lake George, creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that includes various dining establishments, specialty shopping and recreation events, consultants told a large group of city officials and residents Tuesday evening.

But the city also needs to make sure people know where the downtown is and how to get there and to add multifamily housing, government functions and other businesses to provide customers for the downtown establishments, the consultants said at Festival Park Community Center.

“The city has done just about everything it can do to date for the downtown. But ... f you don’t know how to get to downtown Hobart, you won’t get here. It’s an exclusive area,” said Matt Reardon, a consultant with SEH Indiana.

Reardon said one opportunity outside the traditional downtown is Brickie Bowl. He said the downtown needs a larger employment base and the former high school football field could provide a sports-related venue.

Bridget Lane, with Business Districts Inc., said there are 252,940 people living within a 20-minute drive with a total spending power of $3 billion.

“You need a unique destination with high-quality shops to attract these potential shoppers,” Lane said.

She said there are 1,769 people with $26 million in spending power living within one-half mile of the downtown, people she called more intense users.

Lane said that according to the results of a survey on the downtown, which had more than 500 responses, 76 percent said they visit downtown to dine, 64 percent to shop, 58 percent for entertainment and 8 percent for residential.

“Everyone wants to shop there, but they’re not. Only 35 percent said they do,” Lane said.

She said 70 percent of respondents want a bookstore, and 50 percent or more want all types of dining establishments, gift shops, grocery store, home accessories store, women’s apparel, shoes and sporting goods.

Lane said she couldn’t understand why residents rated the attractiveness of the downtown low when it has the lakefront that other downtowns don’t have.

“The feeling is people don’t connect the lake with the downtown,” she said, adding the connectivity needs to be established.

Residents attending the meeting said they would like to see wi-fi accessibility throughout the downtown and Lake George area, nonsmoking restaurants, health food stores, specialty grocery store, unique shops and bike racks in the downtown area.

“There is not one bike rack. Health and fitness is not a concern in this area. How can you make it accessible to people,” said Gretchen Coubal, owner of Yoga by Gretchen in the downtown.

Director of Development Denarie Kane said bike racks and bike lockers are coming to the city.

Councilwoman Monica Wiley, D-at-large, said she would like the city to petition the General Assembly for a casino on Lake George.

Traffic safety was also listed as a concern.