Eastgate District Master Plan

Valparaiso, Indiana

The City of Valparaiso was struggling to find the right solution to revitalize Eastgate, a deteriorating +/- 70 acre retail corridor east of Valparaiso’s downtown district. Through visioning, market analysis, and public input/meetings it was determined that a mixture of uses (residential, retail, office) was needed to diversify redevelopment in this currently heavy retail corridor. Another important need - student housing for the nearby 6,000 student Valparaiso University - was also identified.

Working closely with the City and The Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission. Bird Houk Collaborative created a sustainable Land-Use Plan and a 30-year Master Redevelopment Plan to consolidate retail and introduce new and varied uses, such as residential housing for students and retirees, to the Eastgate District. Additionally, a catalyst project for redevelopment known as ‘University Village’ was conceived. University Village places a mixture of uses at the door step of the northern entrance of the University, translating student needs into redevelopment opportunities.

Following the completition of the Master Plan, Bird Houk Collaborative created an Overlay District and Design Standards for the Eastgate Corridor. With federal, state and local dollars, street improvements are currently under construction, overhead power lines are being relocated/buried and the Design Standards (also developed by BHC) are guiding the redevelopment effort. At this time, a student housing complex is being developed within the corridor, and the Eastgate Redevelopment Commission is negotiating with a potential developer for University Village.