Lake Station's 14,000 residents are paving the way for the future, making the kinds of infrastructure and revitalization investments that will help future development for the entire region.

Among Lake Station's investments in infrastructure are the city's new state-of-the-art trash collection system, the first of its kind in Lake County; computer network installations; a $1.9 million sewer project overhaul on three major lift stations; and a new sewer camera truck, allowing public works employees to perform their own inspections.  The municipal complex will be upgraded and a focus on development for Lake Station's commercial properties also has the city poised for the future.

Mayor Keith Soderquist has led the city's progress and at the end of last year introduced a new trash collection system that includes a 65-gallon recycle roll-out can for each residence in addition to the standard 96-trash can.

"This system will enhance the appearance of our streetscapes while increasing the overall efficiency of the city's trash collection services," says Soderquist.  The automated trash collection system is operated through a fleet of new garbage trucks, each manned by a single city employee.  The trucks use a mechanized "arm" to lift the new trash cans, empty the waste and return the can to its original, curbside position.  The trucks can pick up trash at roughly 1,000 homes a day per truck.

Soderquist challenges Lake Station residents to increase their amount of recycling by 30% with the new cans and collection system for a cleaner environment, a savings of tax dollars and a greener future.  "If every resident makes a conscious effort to recycle, I believe we can turn this goal into reality," he says.

Lake Station's technology upgrades have led to a streamlining of services for the city.  The city's computer network installations replace systems that were 15 years old and has led to more efficiency and accountability.  This network enables all city departments, including police, fire, courts, emergency, clerks, utilities, building, codes, animal control and zoning to operate on an internal network.  The city's Web page enhancements allow a free flow of information from the municipality to city residents and the Mayor's e-corner brings up-to-date communication to the region.  A grant of $154,000 through Lake County Commissioner Gerry Schueb has enabled Lake Station to improve its police radio communication system, meaning better emergency response for all.

In a grant secured from Congressman Pete Visclosky, Lake Station has received funds for a $1.9 million sewer project, completed in 2009.  The project funding included $400,000 in matching local dollars from the city to upgrade three main lift stations.  These upgrades have resulted in improvement in the quality of life for thousands of Lake Station residents.  The project also extended the sewer from the Old Hobart Road River Walk.

The river walk in among the projects experiencing a revitalization in Lake Station.  Plans call for a walking path and lighting here, and support the long term growth of the city.  The City of Lake Station is also redeveloping Grand Boulevard Lake.  This beautification consists of cleaning up around the lake and building up the banks that have been washed away.  Damaged trees will be replaced with aesthetically-pleasing foliage along a one-of-a-kind walking trail around the lake that boasts species identification markers for community education.  This trail will connect to the Field of Dreams.

Stimulus funds are being used for road resurfacing along Central Avenue and Liverpool, two major roadways in the city.  The city has also acquired a $700,000 grant from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for trails throughout Lake Station, which will be equipped with lighting and a walk/bike trail.  Designs will be completed this year and construction is slated to begin in 2011.

In addition to improving the sewer system and beautifying the city, Lake Station is taking further steps to attract local commerce and visitors.  Lake Station supports renovation to local shopping areas and stores, and is dedicated to attracting new business to the city, including the North Shore Medical Facility, a new library branch on Central Avenue, and a complete renovation of Central Plaza.

Plans for The Field of Dreams outdoor sports complex include bringing in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and truck facilities to attract visitors from all over the country.  The Field of Dreams outdoor complex will accomodate the Lake Station Little League which will be completed for the spring season 2011 and is being funded by revenues from the Cingular tower, billboards along the highway, and future revenues.  The old compost facility, that was located in the park, has now moved to a new location north of I-80/94.  The Field of Dreams will be operated by the Lake Station Parks Department.

Work beings this spring on the new $8 million government complex at the intersection of Grand Blvd. and Fairview Ave.  This facility targets LEED certification for energy efficiency and is designed to reduce overall energy costs by 40%.  Energy produced by wind power will operate parking lights.  The complex will be home to city hall, police and fire departments, city courts, ambulance, and utilities and safety services.  This will streamline operations for the city and eliminate buildings that are no longer energy-efficient and expensive to maintain, Soderquist says.  On the second floor of this new building, the city will operate a small rental facility to increase revenues.  The facility will also feature an outdoor venue for family movie nights and farmers markets.  The new construction will also lead to additional commercial development along this busiest intersection in the city.

Lake Station has received a number of grants over the past year and will continue to throughout 2010, demonstrating the region's commitment to the city.  Lake Station's growth is supported by many entities through 13 different grants, totaling $6.2 million with $542,000 of that coming from matching city funds.  See chart.

Lake Station is a city poised to take on the future, with progressive initiatives in residential services, commercial development, and infrastructure improvement.  Lake Station is making it goal number one to improve the quality of life for all Lake Station residents.

LAKE STATION GRANTS

These grants are double the total amount of the City's general fund.

• A $1.9 million grant in 2008 to renovate three major lift stations as well as replacing sewer lines

• A $270,000 CMAQ vehicle grant in 2009 to purchase new squad cars and other municipal vehicles.

• A $1.2 million grant in 2009 for reconstruction of County Line Road and Central Avenue.

• Gerry Scheub 911 monies in 2008 totaling $154,000 to renovate Lake Station's dispatching system

• A $30,000 recycle grant in 2009 to roll out recycling containers.

• A $25,000 grant in 2008-2009 to a new exhaust system for the city's ambulance department.

• A $500,000 Flood Mitigation Grant obtained through U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky in 2009.

• A $25,000 grant to purchase police vests in 2009.

• A Police Pull Over Grant in 2008-2009 for DUI and drug control.

• NIRPC grants of $780,000 awarded in 2010 and 2011 for walk/bike trails through Lake Station with lighting and benches.

• $450,000 in stimulus monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to be used for Central Avenue resurfacing from the new Lake Station Library to Union Street and to include intersections and 52 ramps in accordance with the Americans and Disabilities Act in 2010 and 2011.

• An additional $425,000 in stimulus funds for Liverpool Road storm drains and the widening of the road, including curbs from Liverpool Bridge to New Jersey Street.

• And $140,000 in extra stimulus funds for new storm drains throughout the area north of Central Avenue and east of Clay Street.