Superintendent updates board on $4M cultural corridor and Better’s Alley fundraising; accessibility assurance approved

Michigan City Parks and Recreation Superintendent (identified in the meeting as Mrs. Eason) told the board March 18 that she is serving on a steering committee for Northwest Indiana Thrive’s cultural corridor — a $4,000,000 grant project to connect the train station and Singing Sands along Pine Street — and that additional renderings will be presented as the design work progresses.

On the Better’s Alley playground and park project, the superintendent said councilwoman Nancy Moldenhauer pledged $60,000 personally and the city council approved an additional $600,000; United Way of La Porte County pledged $25,000. Even with those commitments, the superintendent said the project still shows a remaining funding gap of $428,000 because a restroom building was taken out of the current scope to reach bid readiness. She said staff will continue fundraising and present final drawings at the April 15 board meeting.

Separately, the board approved an “assurance of accessibility compliance” for the department’s five‑year master plan certifying compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 so the plan can be submitted to the Indiana DNR for approval.