PORTAGE | The city's Plan Commission gave its thumbs up to the Marquette Greenway Plan Monday night.

The plan, devised by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., would recapture a 200-foot wide swath of Lake Michigan's shoreline from the Illinois state line to the eastern edge of Portage for recreational purposes and green space.

For Portage, it will mean the lakefront city would finally have its own municipal beach as well as a walking trail from the beach to its public marina and South Shore Line train station.

Passing the resolution Monday night "takes it to the next level. It is what you and this city has designated as important in its comprehensive plan," said A.J. Monroe, director of community development and a member of the plan's working group.

Portage is one of five lakefront communities joining with Visclosky to help make the vision a reality. The city's Plan Commission is the first municipal entity to adopt a resolution in support of the plan. The City Council is expected to adopt a similar resolution, along with councils from Gary, Hammond, Whiting and East Chicago.

"The resolution helps both the congressman and the city go after funding for the project. It also shows community support and that this is something the city believes in," Monroe said.

The National Park Service recently took ownership of 60 acres of lakefront property owned by the former National Steel Co. The city is working with U.S. Steel to connect the steelmaker's sanitary sewer system to the city's system, which will allow the closing of the steel mill's sewer plant, creating public access to the new beach.

"We are working very closely with the National Park Service to create a municipal beach," Monroe said. The proposal now includes construction of a pavilion with restrooms and direct public parking access to the 60 acres. Original plans called for a shuttle service to take beach-goers to the lakefront.

"U.S. Steel is receptive to having the public utilize its easement to access the beach," Monroe said. The Marquette Greenway Plan, he said, will be integrated into the city's development of a north side plan and is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan for the future.

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