Family Express project moves forward in Crown Point
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent October 14, 2012 10:34PM
Maps
Updated: February 5, 2013 3:45PM
CROWN POINT — Plans for a new Family Express gas station and car wash at the northwest corner of North Street and Indiana Avenue are moving forward.
Last week the Crown Point Plan Commission approved the site development plan for the project contingent on the submission of a landscape plan before building permits are issued, according to Christopher Meyers, administrator for the planning and building department.
“The design is very similar to what is over at Ameriplex in Portage and Aberdeen in Valparaiso,” Meyers said.
The building will have brick masonry, door columns and divided windows with side lights among other features. Meyers said the design loosely follows the Williamsburg-style of architecture, though the project is not within the city’s Williamsburg development zone along Broadway.
Meyers said the corner most recently was being used as a store lot for heavy equipment. The project will continue the improvements at the intersection over the last 18 months that includes new signalization at the intersection. There is also a newer building on the southwest corner.
Meyers said the Family Express project is the third revitalization at the intersection which the city has been eying for redevelopment. He said city officials are hopeful the Family Express project will spur development on the southeast corner, the site of the former Lake County Greenhouse.
Officials from Family Express have said the project will move quickly once permitting is in place. Developers were before the Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this month for a setback variance, which won a favorable recommendation.
The project is expected to take between two to three months to complete.
