Burns Harbor partners with Holladay Properties on the Westport 32-Acre Development Site

burnsharborThe Town of Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission (RDC) continues progress towards economic and community growth, recently acquiring 28 acres from the Duneland School Corporation adjacent to the former, town-owned Westport Community Center site along State Road 149 and Haglund Road. The Westport land assembly of 32-acres is now slated for master development through a collaboration between the RDC and Holladay Properties.

Last year, the RDC solicited Request for Qualifications from Master Developers and in February selected Portage, Indiana-based Holladay Properties as the qualified real estate development firm. As the RDC’s Master Developer, Holladay Properties will be responsible for facilitating, implementing and inducing private investment at the Westport site.

RDC President Eric Hull said, “Westport connects Burns Harbor’s past to its future. This site is where the Founders incorporated the Town in 1969 and where generations of residents and visitors continue to socially gather. The Town envisions a vibrant center where people can experience a Duneland community that is a harmonious blend of residential, commercial and industrial uses next to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Holladay Properties is a proven leader in working with communities to bring a bold vision to reality. We look forward to getting started on the master development of this site.”

The RDC and Holladay Properties are utilizing a phased approach to developing Westport. The project will kick-off with a pre-development phase to integrate prior Town plans, current trail infrastructure projects and the latest market data into a Westport Sub-Area Plan for inclusion in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Upon that completion, site development would follow.

Holladay Properties Partner & Vice President, Mike Micka said, “At Holladay Properties, we strive to enrich communities through investment and service. We will assure that this is not a planning process but a pathway to development that grows tax base, creates jobs and improves quality of life.”

RDC member Toni Biancardi said, “One of the RDC’s goals is to develop a sense of place and pride for residents, visitors and businesses. We want to enhance our Town identity and gain recognition as a development partner and project collaborator within the region. Our partnership with Holladay Properties will result in elevating Burns Harbor, not only as a great place to live but as a tourist destination, now and into the future.”

To learn more about Burns Harbor development, the public is always welcome to attend RDC meetings held the second Wednesday each month at Town Hall, located at 1240 N. Boo Rd., at 6 p.m. Town Council meetings are also held immediately afterwards.