By Jim Stinson/Post-Tribune staff writer
VALPARAISO — A downtown commuter rail station would be the best bet for the city of Valparaiso, an Illinois consultant told city officials.
J. Christopher Lannert, president of Lannert Group of Geneva, Ill., said the initial plans for a South Shore Line rail station at an old Canadian National stop along Calumet Avenue would not provide the city with enough parking space for users.
Lannert made clear he generally agreed with city officials that a stop closer to downtown — along the CSX-owned line, leased by Rail America Inc. — would allow better access, better parking, and possible residential and commercial development beneficial to the city. The commission approved a $10,000, one-month contract to allow Lannert Group to write a study on the issue.
City officials have said they want downtown to benefit from a possible South Shore Line stop if federal and state officials approve extending a second commuter line to Valparaiso. The stop would be near the Franklin House building.
While federal and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District officials are in the middle of a second study to justify expanding South Shore’s one line to three Northwest Indiana lines which lead into Chicago, the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission began steps to make sure planning falls into place later.
Craig Phillips, Valparaiso planner, told the commission that federal grant writers would look favorably upon cities making plans for the possible two rail lines leased by NICTD.
While he said the rail lines might not be ready for up to 10 years, the city should begin planning now.
Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, who did not attend the meeting, has said he hoped the downtown rail stop would help grow downtown commercial and residential growth.
Lannert said he found that in Aurora, Ill., a commuter stop attracted residents to live in a nearby apartment complex.
Lannert said a study found 78 percent of the complex residents used the rail stop to get to Chicago workplaces, one of the highest ratios in the nation.
Lannert told the commission the downtown stop would encourage use of rails over cars to get to workplaces.