The Town of Schererville is moving fast on a number of fronts to launch a variety of public improvement and economic development projects this year.
The projects include the construction of a new Central Fire Station, phase one of the Kennedy Avenue extension, development of the former Illiana Speedway property, downtown commercial/residential buildings, and a new 750-single-family-home subdivision.
“This has been one of the busiest time for projects, at one time, that I can remember in all the years I’ve been on the council,” said Schererville Town Councilman Tom Schmitt, D-4th. “And we have our great staff hard at working bringing this all to fruition.”
Central Fire Station
Schmitt said that the town has purchased a number of homes to make way for a new Central Fire Station, and just one more home purchase remains to move ahead with the project. Architectural work on the facility is beginning this week and project bidding should occur sometime this summer, with a 2024 groundbreaking expected.
The Central Fire Station will be located south of Joliet Street and west of Anna Street near the town’s water tower. Currently, the Central Fire Station is located at Joliet and Cline Avenue, although it is yet to be decided what will become of that building.
The new fire station will be the town’s primary emergency services hub, featuring a modernized training facility, expanded administrative office space, comfortable living quarters for firefighters and more room for equipment.
Kennedy Avenue extension
On April 10, the Schererville Town Council approved the purchase of two properties at a combined $262,000 to free up space for the extension of Kennedy Avenue south to U.S. 30, with a couple more land purchases in the works, Schmitt said.
Phase one of the project entails the construction of a bridge over a set of railroad tracks beginning north of Avenue H.
The Kennedy Avenue Project involves the widening and reconstruction of Kennedy Avenue from approximately U.S. 30 to Main Street for 2.46 miles. Portions of existing Kennedy Avenue, Joliet Street, Junction Avenue, Public Works Drive/Kaeser Boulevard, Division Street, Oak Street, and the Pennsy Greenway Trail will be reconstructed as part of this project. Turn lanes will be added to U.S. 30 and Main Street as part of the project as well.
The project will be constructed in four phases with preliminary scheduled to occur between 2024 and 2026.
750-home subdivision
The former Luers Christmas tree farm is the proposed site of a subdivision expected to bring 750 single-family homes to Schererville. The development is located between 91st Avenue and 101st Avenue on land the town annexed several years ago.
The Schererville Plan Commission is currently reviewing plans for the development. Drapac Corp. is spearheading the development.
Downtown development
The Schererville Redevelopment Commission and Town Council recently approved the sale of the property directly west of Town Hall on Joliet Street. The development entails three two-story, standalone buildings.
The bottom floors will offer commercial business space while the top floors will be composed of condominiums. The development has the potential to change Schererville’s downtown aesthetic and spur the area’s designation as a riverfront district.
Town officials are currently in negotiations with a developer, and the deal is expected to be finalized next month, Schmitt said.
Illiana Speedway update
The town is currently engaged in an environmental land study of the former Illiana Speedway property, a 66-acre parcel that is being converted into a recreation destination.
The land will eventually become part of one larger park through connections to nearby Rohrman Park, including bike trails linking neighborhoods and other local parks. Undeveloped acreage adjacent to the Illiana property could push the combined park system beyond 125 acres.
Much of the land will be reserved for new sports fields, namely youth soccer, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, and Pop Warner football, which reflect the desires of residents who participated in a series of community input sessions. Basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts as well as walking trails are also strong possibilities.
In a recent development, Schmitt noted that Redar Park now has a fence around it as a safety enhancement.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
