Livable Broadway Initiative
Gary, Merrillville, and Crown Point, IN
The Livable Broadway Initiative is a multi-disciplinary project that assesses opportunities for improving bus service between Gary, Merrillville, and Crown Point. In concert with this, the plan also identifies opportunities to enhance economic development, environment, and land use to promote livability within the study corridor. The area of focus is a 1-mile wide corridor centered on Broadway from I-90 to US 231, as well as the stretch of 4th Avenue from Broadway to Grant Street. The Arsh Group served as one of the consultants on the project team, tasked with analyzing current and potential land uses and developing preferred urban design prototypes. There were two important elements of this work. The first was a series of urban design toolbox exhibits that were developed to define the preferred type and method of new development within the corridor. These toolbox items included urban design prototypes, land use initiatives, and green/sustainable practices. The second was a series of prototype redevelopment concepts that could be used to direct new development efforts in a variety of site locations. In addition, three specific sites along Broadway—35th Avenue, 61st Avenue, and US 30/Century Mall—received more specific treatments to accommodate Transit Oriented Development (TOD.)