NIRPC to consider new location; ‘open competition’ announced
By Carole Carlson ccarlson@post-trib.com February 21, 2013 10:50AM
Updated: March 23, 2013 6:23AM
PORTAGE — The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission will accept proposals for a new location for its offices in the coming months.
It doesn’t necessarily signal a move from its current Portage location, just north of Interstate 94 at Indiana 249, but NIRPC’s lease is up at the end of the year.
NIRPC executive board member and LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo said at Thursday’s meeting that NIRPC was working with the Northwest Indiana Forum “to put together a fair and open competition” for proposals.
The two groups have been sharing space in Portage since NIRPC moved its offices from Highland in 1993. The move came after the Portage City Council issued a $1.1 million revenue bond to buy the land and construct the building and the newly created Portage Redevelopment Commission leased it to NIRPC.
The building does have some problems meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, said NIRPC attorney David Hollenbeck.
Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor, who serves as NIRPC’s vice chairman, urged community leaders to submit proposals if they feel their municipality has a suitable location.
NIRPC is composed of members from Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.
After the meeting, Milo said a committee planned to work as aggressively as possible to begin the bidding process.
