Crown Point, IN (Merrillville, Munster, Dyer: apartment, rentals, townhouses)

[artemis]

I really don't understand how Crown Point hasn't been able to attract a retiring couple to run a successful mom and pop bed and breakfast. It would seem like a slam dunk to me. I suppose you need the right people and the right spot to do so. I'm no developer, so I have no idea of what's even available to renovate over off the square, but I would think someone smarter than I would have tried it by now.



Perhaps they have.

[Northwest Indiana]

Does anybody have any updates on the Galleria a Center project? Any proposed tenants?

[Northwest Indiana]

Looks like funding for the 109th road project is secured...this also means the Galleria project will move forward:

Federal funding approved for 109th Ave. improvements

[Nwiliving]

NO it is way too crowded already, they would have to include another high school and elementary school and possibly another middle school and if not they would have to exclude parts of windield.

[valpofan11]

Originally Posted by Nwiliving

NO it is way too crowded already, they would have to include another high school and elementary school and possibly another middle school and if not they would have to exclude parts of windield.

If Winfield continues to grow with more younger families, the need for a 3rd middle school and a 2nd high school could become a possibility in CPCS. Right now a Winfield HS isn't yet needed, but the CP School District remains highly desirable so new schools in Winfield may become more likely down the road.

[Northwest Indiana]

Plans for $100 million lifestyle center in Crown Point advance

Although this is just regarding Phase 2 (south of 109th), this seems good overall. It is also good that they are waiting for 109th improvements before beginning Phase 1 (north of 109th). I am still curious as to what types of tenants will be in this development. I hope it is not another "Shops on Main" development where it "looks high-end" but the tenants are not high-end...except for Whole Foods, but I would not count on Whole Foods opening a location in Crown Point.

Anybody have any ideas of what shops and restaurants you think would locate here? The developer initially stated that the places that have expressed interest are not found within a 25 mile radius.

I do think that a hybrid center that includes some outlet stores would do extremely well in this location. The Shops on Main has a few outlet stores (Chicos, OshKosh/Carters) and they appear to be doing well.

[iidreamtheaterii]

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

but I would not count on Whole Foods opening a location in Crown Point.

I disagree. I believe Whole Foods will definitely be looking into the Crown Point area, personally. I understand that Shops on Main was definitely the first of the region given the population boom in the recent years. I doubt they'll look into Phase 1, waiting for the other stores to get built up, but I fully expect them to look into Phase II. With it being right off I-65, it opens the doors to a lot of other communities that I believe will be included in their studies.

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by iidreamtheaterii

I disagree. I believe Whole Foods will definitely be looking into the Crown Point area, personally. I understand that Shops on Main was definitely the first of the region given the population boom in the recent years. I doubt they'll look into Phase 1, waiting for the other stores to get built up, but I fully expect them to look into Phase II. With it being right off I-65, it opens the doors to a lot of other communities that I believe will be included in their studies.

The only other area that Whole Foods has reportedly expressed basic interest in up here is Valpo. The Galleria Center project as of now, does not call for a grocery anchor. When you get to some of the west, northwest, and north suburbs, that is where you will see more Whole Foods within a range of 10-15 miles from one another, or even closer. But it is more densely populated area with higher income, and most important to WF, more college-educated population. Also, WF didn't locate in Schererville because of any population boom (especially as the towns closet to it such as Highland, Munster, Griffith, and Dyer have either seen some growth, no growth, or some decline in populations). They located there because it is closest to the largest and densest and highest-income area of NWI. The top areas for growth in Lake County in the past decade have been and still is St. John, Crown Point, and Winfield.

The distance between the Schererville store and the Galleria center is about 13-14 miles. But the area is not as densely populated as does not contain as large of a college-education population, overall. I could see maybe the new "365 by Whole Foods" concept maybe opening a store in the area or in Valpo. Maybe. I would be surprised if Whole Foods opened in Crown Point anytime soon. Also, here are the demographic requirements for Whole Foods (directly from their website)

Typically, 200,000 people or more in a 20-minute drive time

25,000-50,000 Square Feet

Large number of college-educated residents

Abundant parking available for our exclusive use

Stand alone preferred, would consider complementary

Easy access from roadways, lighted intersection

Excellent visibility, directly off of the street

Must be located in a high traffic area (foot and/or vehicle)

Right now, WF in Schererville pulls folks from Munster, Highland, Schererville, Griffith, St. John, Hammond as well as south suburbs close to the state line. You have people coming from Merrillville, Crown Point, Gary, Portage, Chesterton, Cedar Lake, and even further like Lowell and Valpo. If a store in Crown Point in the Galleria Center were to open, it would be most convenient for Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Merrillville, Gary, as well as points east in Porter County. But the population draw would not be nearly as much as the Schererville location. It would be a much smaller location if they did.

[Northwest Indiana]

I have to say...if these are the plans for this development, overall, it is a little disappointing...this is not a walkable lifestyle center...this is a strip mall (Phase 1). This is not to say that it won't attract some tenants that will serve basic area needs, but I cannot see how this will attract any upscale tenants. Phase 1 will just be a larger version of the Shops on Main...it may "look upscale" but I really do not see many upscale tenants. At least the city will get a hotel(s) which will be a boon to the local economy. I hope I am wrong, but again, I just see a repeat of the disappointment that Shops on Main brought (minus the Whole Foods). If anything, Phase 2 will be the most exciting part.

Thoughts?

Galleria gets variances needed to begin construction

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by iidreamtheaterii

I disagree. I believe Whole Foods will definitely be looking into the Crown Point area, personally. I understand that Shops on Main was definitely the first of the region given the population boom in the recent years. I doubt they'll look into Phase 1, waiting for the other stores to get built up, but I fully expect them to look into Phase II. With it being right off I-65, it opens the doors to a lot of other communities that I believe will be included in their studies.

If you look at my post above, and see the attached photo...looks like anything like a Whole Foods would be out of the question in Phase 2. Phase 1 has a box that is big enough for one but again, I do not see it happening.