LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — Steve Lunn, Porter Regional Hospital CEO, did not have to travel far to take part in Thursday's groundbreaking for a 14,000-square-foot commercial building along U.S. 6.
The new building is the first going in the Porter Business Park immediately west of the new hospital at the northwest corner of Ind. 49 and U.S. 6.
"Welcome to the neighborhood," Lunn told the small group of developers and others gathered for the late morning celebration.
"It's been a long time coming to see the next big development," he said.
It's been nine years since the new owners of the former county-owned hospital announced plans to relocate from downtown Valparaiso to the site of their new building today.
A poor economy has been blamed for the slower-than-expected growth at the park.
Lunn said he believes now that the first building is going in at the park, others will follow.
Patty Stovall, project coordinator with the business park, also voiced confidence that a corner has been turned in the park's future.
"It's going to be full, full," she said. "I have plans."
The new building, which will be south on the property near U.S. 6, will offer eight units, she has said. There are already two tentative tenants — a sandwich shop and a health care lab-type business.
The goal is to have four tenants by year's end, Stovall said.
Another parcel further north at the business park was rezoned recently for a 93,000-square-foot assisted living and memory care facility, according to Bob Thompson, executive director of the Porter County Department of Development & Storm Water Management.
Lunn said the area needs a pharmacy to serve patients leaving the hospital.
He also sees a need for eateries, a dry cleaner and other service-oriented businesses to serve hospital employees and the other 5,000 or more people who visit the hospital each day.
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