The West Street Corridor Study runs parallel to US 30, beginning at Hayes Leonard Road on the west and extending to Campbell Road on the east. A comprehensive plan designed to transform the West Street area into a walkable, connected and economically vibrant gateway to the city has been released.
The study, which outlines clear and actionable steps for the future development of the corridor, is now available for public review on the City’s website at https://ci.valparaiso.in.us/1848/West-St-Study.
The vision plan includes three phases of development opportunities, each with its own set of objectives:
Short-term actions (0-5 years): Focuses on immediate improvements, including one-way street conversions, enhanced frontage development and the creation of new trail connections to increase mobility and access.
Medium-term actions (5-10 years): Plans for two-way street conversions and the redevelopment of priority parcels, supporting further economic growth and increased connectivity.
Long-term strategies (10+ years): Envisions the full build-out of the corridor with new local street connections, realigned roadways and expanded public spaces to foster community engagement and reinvestment.
The overarching goal of the West Street Corridor Study is to position the area as a complete, mixed use area that links neighborhoods, enhances Valparaiso’s identity and attracts future growth.
“We are committed to creating a West Street that is beyond functional but also a vibrant, welcoming space for residents, businesses and visitors alike,” said Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas. “This study represents a blueprint for making that vision a reality, with both immediate and long-term strategies that will guide our city’s growth for years to come.”
“This plan was created combining community input and strong analysis. We encourage the community, business owners and stakeholders to review the ideas and share feedback at development@valpo.us.
We look forward to enhancing this area in a way that adds value to our community’s neighbors, businesses and quality of life,” said Valparaiso Development Director George Douglas.
The City of Valparaiso worked with MKSK and Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. to create the West Street Corridor Study. The company is known for creating pedestrian-friendly designs that strengthen the interaction between people and place. The study plan was commissioned by the Redevelopment Commission and was accepted by the Commission at its December 11, 2025 meeting. The Commission recommended the Planning Director share the study with the Plan Commission and Houseal Levine as part of the Comprehensive Plan update process.
To get involved or to find out more, click here.
A community questionnaire can be found here.
FIND MORE VALPARAISO RELATED ARTICLES HERE
The Hub NWI Receives an Art’s Kiln from Porter County Community Foundation
The HUB NWI, a community makerspace housed in a restored former church in Hebron, has received a $7,500 grant from the Porter County Community Foundation to fund its Community Kiln Arts Initiative. The award allows The HUB NWI to bring a new Janus Ovation dual use kiln online, opening hands-on ceramics, glass fusing,…
Valparaiso City Council Gets the New Year Underway
The first Valparaiso City Council meeting of the new year got underway Monday night, January 12th, 2026 with a council workshop by Houseal Lavigne, an urban planning, design, and geospatial firm out of Chicago. Houseal Lavigne will be working on Valpo Vision 2050 which will give Valparaiso a new Comprehensive Plan and Unified…
New Sand and Steel Art Fest Announced by Valpo Creative Council
SAND + STEEL Art Fest is a free, three-day celebration of local artistic creativity and talent, named after the geography and industry of the Northwest Indiana Region. The Festival will take place on Saturday, June 27th from 9am – 5pm, and Sunday, June 28th from 10am – 4pm, combined with the Valparaiso Market,…
Urschel Development’s Conversion of Boys and Girls Club into Grand Gardner Hotel Nearing Completion
The Grand Gardner Hotel is the redevelopment and reuse of the Gardner School building built in 1899 near downtown Valparaiso. The historical building will be augmented into a the Grand Gardner Hotel by Urschel Development Corporation with new construction, encompassing additional guestrooms and amenities. The hotel will operate as an independent boutique hotel focused on showcasing the region and inviting community access. The new Boys and Girls club was moved to a new, larger Boys & Girls Club facility that recently opened in 2022 at a new location on Evans Avenue in Valparaiso across from Fairgrounds Park.
Continue Reading . . .
Valpo Councils Weighs In On State Redistricting
The Valparaiso City Council met Monday night December 8th at 6:00pm for the only council meeting of December, 2025. There has traditionally only been one council meeting in December due to the Christmas holiday. The meeting went for just under an hour and a half with a presentation by the Mayor’s Youth Council,…
A Year of Gratitude & Growth from The Finishers of Valparaiso
As the Finishers of Valpo closes out another successful year, they would like to extend their deepest gratitude to every single client who trusted them with their home improvement projects in 2025. Their 2025 clients has not only allowed them to grow, but it has also helped them to provide steady employment for…
Gas Station Debate Dominates Valpo Council Meeting
The Valparaiso Council Chambers were decked with Christmas regalia for the November 24th 2025 City Council meeting. The meeting ran for just under three hours with four items of business on the agenda. There were two ordinances dealing with zoning changes, one concerning the city budget and under other business there was discussion…
Data Center Opposition Dominates Valpo City Council & Data Center Pulls Out
Valpo City council chambers were at capacity last night March 10th, 2025 with citizens standing along walls and filling the hallway viewing area out to the main entrance. The doors to City Halls were locked until just after a quarter till, the posted time of chambers opening before meetings. People lined the sidewalks in both directions passing out signage and stickers to show unity in opposition to a data center even being considered in the Valparaiso community.
Continue Reading . . .
City of Valparaiso Makes Statement About the Controversial Data Center Development
There is a significant amount of misinformation being shared over the last few days as to the potential construction of a data center in Valparaiso. The City issued this statement to provide accurate information and dispel some of the more egregious rumors being circulated. To start, there is…

































