1. MAYOR JOE’S PUBLIC FORUM
October 26, 2016

2. AGENDA Brief Lakefront Restaurant – History Hotel Project – Background
Current Conceptual Plan for Restaurant and Hotel
MHOF – Brief Update
Miscellaneous
Q&A’s

3. LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT HISTORY
Old Gun Club
Rehab existing building - Small quaint café
Not the best opportunity
Expand existing building
Great concept – Halloween Storm identified weak links
New stand-alone City owned structure
New stand-alone Privately owned structure
City maintained ownership of land - $3M savings

4. LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT HISTORY

5. LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT HISTORY

6. LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT HISTORY

7. LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT HISTORY
Our Goals are:
Get it right
Maximize the investment
Protect the Community

8. LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT HISTORY
RFP conducted
Jonathan Byrd Hospitality & Restaurant Group from Greenwood, Indiana was selected
Completely understood our position
Any and all development must fit Whiting
Willing Investor
Experienced
Great Family

9. HOSPITALITY SOLUTION Discussions with JBHRG identified:
An interest to invest in a complete “Hospitality Solution”
Restaurant & Banquet Facility
Catering Operation
Hotel

10. HOSPITALITY SOLUTION Benefits include: Increased investment:
From $4M to $15M-$18M
Annual Tax Revenue increases to approximately $550,000
Equal to building 220 new $250,000 homes
Creates 100+/- Jobs
“Enormous” Economic Impact to the Business District
Completes the “Destination City” strategy

11. HOTEL Hotel Study Prerequisite for funding
Study indicates that both a moderate and upscale hotel in the Whiting-Robertsdale area would be profitable
Significant room generators in area include:
Whiting special events
BP Out-of-Town Executives/Sales People
Horseshoe Casino
Other local industries

12. HOTEL Hurdles/Issues Identifying a Hotel Location
Parking requirements eliminate:
Most sites along 119th Street
Most sites along Indianapolis Boulevard
Workable sites would require significant “Eminent Domain”
BP property could work, but future refinery plans would be compromised
This leaves us with the Lakefront Park

13. HOTEL
Controversial
But, let me walk through what we have done to date to give everyone a better understanding of how we got here
Location 1: Center of Park
Bad option because of dividing Park

14. HOTEL

15. HOTEL
Location 2: West End of Park
Parking concerns, view obstruction

16. HOTEL

17. HOTEL
Location 3:

18. HOTEL

19. HOTEL
Location 3:
Everyone expected a building would be built here already
Smallest Footprint
No significant detrimental issues
Benefits include:
Shared parking
Cost Effective – 1 building vs. 2
Enhance Park Programming/Rentals (Weddings, parties, etc.)
All public space/amenities will remain open to the public
Blocking industrial sight lines only

25. HOTEL Important notes: This is a conceptual design
Based on Massing – Site Plan location
Developer/City/Architect will finalize exterior look later

26. HOTEL Due Diligence Performed to Date: Hotel Demand Study
Demand strong
Utility capacity analysis
Only minor improvements needed
Shoreline protection review
NE Point Repairs already planned
Engineering Design can now be tailored to Restaurant/Hotel

27. HOTEL Due Diligence Performed to Date: Parking Study
Expanded parking at Pavilion lot
New General Parking lot can be built in old Tennis Court area
Only If needed
Can be used for new “Super Playground” and overflow parking
Primarily for summer peak season and employee parking
Emergency Access review
Gated access via Whihala Bike Trail
Can be used for Special Events also

28. HOTEL

29. HOTEL

30. MHOF
I know there will likely be comments and/or Questions, but I’d like to give a brief status update on the MHOF
Building Construction underway
Pre-Construction estimate of $9,650,000
Actual bids came in at $6,700,000 (over 40 bids)
Savings of $3,000,000 on day 1
100% Industrial Property Tax Revenue (TIF)
Exhibit Funding Campaign showing “Strong” interest

31. MHOF I would like to emphasize or clarify what the MHOF will be:
High Quality, World Class Family Attraction
Focus is on 12 year old and younger students
Educational based – Trine University
Mascot theme
Fun for families
Schematic Design on the table

32. MISCELLANEOUS ACE Hardware Cigar Shop Illiana Hotel
Construction Underway
Cigar Shop
Rehab Started
Illiana Hotel
Artist Studio/Commercial Space Project advancing

33. MISCELLANEOUS Quiet Zone – January 20th
Mixed Use Building/City Museum advancing

34. MISCELLANEOUS

35. Q&A’s