Many have found out that the City of Valparaiso has plans to demolish Old World Market Building and Fifth Third Bank.

It turns out that this is not a rumor. The Property Owners, Peter Von Tobel and Brent Wagner, have stated so and created a website stating emphatically that this is true. Go to their website Save Downtown Valpo and read what they have said. 

EIGHT LOCAL BUSINESSES WILL BE DISPLACED:
According to their own website in their own words, they are against this.

“These are Valpo Chamber businesses representing well over 50 employees who support our downtown each day (along with their clients, customers, and vendors), including:

• Blachly, Tabor, Bozik, & Hartman Law Firm who has been there for over 50 years
• Laciak Accountancy Group who had their Ribbon Cutting in 2016
• Old World Market, over 25 years
• Wagner Architecture, over 25 years”Turns out these plans were created in 2017 as part of their City’s “Elevate Valpo,” initiative with consultation from HyettPalma.  THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE A CITY COUNCIL VOTE In addition, the building owners direct your concerns to the BOW Board of Works & Safety and the Redevelopment Commission,
  NOT THE CITY COUNCIL.  According to Ordinance No. 23, 1993, the Redevelopment Commission has the Legal Rights to Develop and “may acquire” private property with public money as long as it is for the for “public use.” It also states that the Commission “Shall” provide opportunity for development by any private enterprise. 
   1. The Common Council allows the RDC to provide maximum opportunity to private enterprise as long as it’s in the best interest of the city AND its citizens.The mayor appoints three of the five members of the Redevelopment Commission. No other City Council Ordinance or Resolutions (that are in conflict of these provisions) can have precedence over the Redevelopment Commission. Passed by the City Council on November 22nd, 19913 Signed David ButterfieldIt’s complicated, but the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission Downtown Housing Incentive Policy describes in detail how this process does not require a City Council Vote. (Downtown this document here. ) You many also want to look at the HyettPalma Valparaiso Downtown Action Agenda updated 2017  Your Comments are always welcome here, via email us at panoramanow@comcast.net or thru social media.
• 
• We Interviewed Blake Swihart from Indiana Landmarks on Wvlp Radio on Facebook. Your comments are welcome here, and on all of PanoramaNOW’s social media.

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  Aftermath Cidery & Winery ; Bao’s Pastry ; Be Good Juicerie ; Designer Desserts-Valparaiso;
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Sue Baxter

Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.