Valparaiso apartment complex prepares for groundbreaking

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Updated: February 26, 2012 8:13AM

VALPARAISO — The last parcel of land zoned for apartments within city limits should have new buildings on it starting in spring.

Development company L.I. Combs has returned with its plans for a 150-unit complex of apartments, four-plexes and eight-plexes back now that Valparaiso is making improvements to the sanitary sewers in that area.

The sewers in the area are sufficient in dry weather to handle the planned Preserve at Grande Oaks east of Roosevelt Road, north of Glendale Boulevard, city engineer Tim Burkman said.

However, too much storm water was getting into the lines during wet periods, and city officials asked the developers to hold off on building when L.I. Combs first proposed a development in March 2010 and renewed it in July 2010.

City officials told the developers at the Site Review Committee meeting on Tuesday that they have been reducing storm water infiltration into the lines.

Steve Poulos, assistant utilities director, said that by using flow meters, the city found the infiltration is coming from the east.

Burkman said Valparaiso has identified some leaky pipes and plans to televise the pipes to find sump pumps and downspouts emptying into the sewer line reserved for waste.

Poulos said they have about 6,000 feet and up to 400 residences to consider. A similar but larger project in the Green Acres subdivision lasted six months.

The developers plan to build the apartments in three phases with 64 units in four buildings going in first on the north end of the property.

Partner Michael Sakich said they hope to have those for rent by September and begin work on the foundations for the clubhouse and 48 additional units before winter.

Sakich said they hope the last 48 units would be done by 2013.

The market may be hard for homeownership but is good for luxury apartments such as Grande Oaks, he said.

The apartments will be modern with washers and dryers, electronics wiring, attached garages and other amenities.

Because mortgages are hard to get, “people are renting buy choice,” he said.

Also at the Site Review meeting, city officials reviewed plans for Yummy Wok, a Mandarin and Szechwan restaurant planned for 1608 Lincolnway, a strip mall know for housing Jimmy John’s.

Restaurant owner Xin Huang said he hopes to open within four months.