Page 20 - Valparaiso, IN U.S. 30 Corridor Plan

Adopted July 25, 2011

The corridor has historically served as the city’s
principal service corridor – a home for a variety of
everyday businesses and activities serving both a
local and regional clientele. While this plan doesn’t
contemplate major changes to this basic function,
a number of possible influences may affect market
changes to the corridor during the life of the plan.

Perhaps the biggest influence will come from the
City’s comparatively large and growing professional
services economy; particularly in the area of legal
and medical services. While State Road (SR) 49 is
positioned to absorb much of this potential growth
Map 2.1, Regional Context (especially larger institutional-scale uses), US 30
could be expected to see some of the overspill;
especially in ancillary functions that don’t need the
higher visibility/higher cost environment of SR-49.
These uses include such things as medical clinics
and labs, office backroom operations, and smaller
format A-class and B-class office facilities.

The growing stature and projected enrollment
of Valparaiso University is also likely to create
pressure for new development within the corridor
particularly in the area of hospitality services and
other off-site support services and facilities. (Much
of this may also end up occurring on Lincolnway.)
Anticipated development and job growth around
the airport is likely to add further to these
pressures. So too may the continued success of
nearby developments like the Purdue Technology
Park in Merriville as successful companies spin-
out into nearby communities, like Valparaiso, that
offer a higher “place-quality”.

Finally, the City’s growing connection to Metro
Chicago may further add to the City’s opportunities
for new business growth within the corridor
particularly in the area of satellite offices and
starter (office/flex) space for small businesses.

Combined, the expansion of Valparaiso’s
institutional, professional services, and
manufacturing sectors is likely to drive the
demand for some new retail development in the
corridor. New plans for the Valparaiso University
campus and the Porter County Municipal Airport
area are being prepared concurrently with this
plan. The timing of this plan also coincides with
a new regional comprehensive plan for the three-
county northwest Indiana region.
Map 2.2, Local Context

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