Mrvan's 2024 Community Project funding requests include plenty for Michigan City, La Porte
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan has announced Community Project Funding requests for Indiana’s First Congressional District for Fiscal Year 2024, including several major projects in Michigan City and La Porte, though one major project was deleted in committee.
“I am grateful that a transparent process was established for all Members to include eligible projects in the House appropriations measures, and believe that this process is an essential component of our ability to advocate for economic growth and success in our districts,” said Mrvan, D-1st.
“As we move forward, I will continue to work with all of my colleagues to move these measures forward and complete this Constitutional responsibility as soon as possible.”
Mrvan’s projects include three allocations for Michigan City and one for La Porte.
The larges request would allocate $2.525 million for operations and maintenance of the Michigan City Harbor, which he said will “support economic development within the city ... driven by its proximity to Lake Michigan and availability of the harbor.
“Michigan City Harbor and its channel provide safe refuge for recreational boats traveling within southern Lake Michigan during adverse weather events. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) maintains law enforcement and rescue vessels within the port; improving the navigable waterway within the harbor and channel will improve the USCG’s access to and from the port to conduct its Homeland Security missions on Lake Michigan,” he said.
Another $1 million (reduced by the House Appropriations Committee from the $2 million requested) would assist Michigan City with construction and upgrades to the proposed Fedder’s Alley All-Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park.
The project “will remove barriers to inclusion, both physical and social, providing a sensory-rich experience for all,” Mrvan said. “The project addresses mobility, hearing and vision impairments, and those with autism spectrum disorder.
“The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because once completed, the all-inclusive equipment and activities will ensure no person hoping to enjoy recreational activities at the park is discouraged from participating in or accessing amenities.”
Also requested was $180,000 for the Michigan City Police Department to acquire 60 license plate readers to enhance its ability to effectively patrol in real-time and grow the coverage of officers, Mrvan said.
The project “will assist the department in achieving its goal of reducing crime in Michigan City by 25 percent in the next three years, while also lending toward the effort to build the proper infrastructure ... to create a real time crime center utilizing this technology.”
For La Porte, $960,000 (reduced by the committee from the $4.7 million requested) was submitted to assist efforts to replace combined sewers with new separate sanitary and storm sewer facilities, and a storm sewer extension.
The Combined Sewer Separation Project also includes a new regional green infrastructure storm water management facility, Mrvan said.
“This project is key to the separation of approximately 30 percent of the city’s Combined Sewer Areas. The joint efficiencies of this system upgrade will allow the city to reduce combined sewer overflow events and basement backups, improving both water quality and quality of life.”
He called it “an excellent use of taxpayer funds as this combined sewer separation and stormwater management project improves the health and safety of La Porte residents by providing capacity for the efficient management of stormwater and sanitary flow, while improving water quality throughout the region...”
One major project that was denied by the committee would have authorized $2.9 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address shoreline erosion near Mount Baldy through the placement of sand as mitigation for littoral drift losses and the resulting increased erosion caused by harbor structures, Mrvan said.
The project would have brought an initial beach nourishment placement of 264,500 cubic yards of material and periodic re-nourishment of 264,500 cubic yards at five-year intervals over a period of 50 years, he said.
“Placement of sand along the identified segment addresses erosion ... as affected by elevated lake levels in Lake Michigan. Continued investment in beach nourishment activities is necessary to rebuild lost shoreline and protect resources inland,” Mrvan said.
He said he will continue to advocate for funding for that project and the others.
“I am grateful that the committee found merit to include federal funds for 14 project requests. Unfortunately, the non-adherence to the House, Senate and Administration negotiated spending levels for Fiscal Year 2024 negatively impacted the inclusion of certain requests.
“I will continue to work with my House and Senate colleagues to advocate for the final inclusion of all of these worthy investments in the economy and quality of place in Northwest Indiana.”
Other major requests for Northwest Indiana include:
$2 million for the Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure to address water, sanitary sewer and stormwater sewer infrastructure improvements
$998,000 for Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor to assist with operations and maintenance
$963,000 for the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana for the purchase and installation of a new Mission Control Simulator to upgrade existing technology
$3.5 million for the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority to assist with construction and expansion of a heavy cargo logistics apron for multiple users
The requests, included in House versions of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations measures, must be approved by both the House and Senate prior to being signed into law.