Right in the heart of the duneland shore sits Portage, Indiana. And while the city is still a relatively new one, Portage has a storied history in the area and is looking forward to a bright future.
The first European settlers came to the area in 1812. As more arrived, Portage Township was formed in 1835 and consisted of the McCool, Crisman, and Garyton communities.
After World War II, Portage Township began to grow rapidly. With the addition of two steel mills along the lakeshore and the Port of Indiana, the population exploded people came to Portage Township for steady work.
In 1959, Portage Township was incorporated into a town, and then in 1967, officially became the City of Portage. Today, Portage is the largest city in Porter County and the third-largest city in Northwest Indiana.
Newly elected Mayor Sue Lynch discussed what makes Portage such a great city, and her hopes and plans for continued growth.
“We’re such a great city. We’re just really humble people and when somebody has a need in the city, people come out to help each other,” Lynch said. “We have amenities that other cities don’t have. We have the marina that’s going to start developing. We have the lakefront, and we’re hoping to come to some resolve with getting some sand on our beach and restoring the area. We have great parks and they’re well taken care of. Imagination Glen especially is a wonderful place for our sporting programs, the BMX track, and the Outback trail.”
Portage gems
The AmeriPlex at the Port
The AmeriPlex at the Port has become one of the shining gems for Portage, Indiana. From new businesses like BNutty and restaurants like Longhorn Steakhouse, the complex has provided plenty of opportunities for the city and has helped to bolster economic growth. The multi-use business park first broke ground in 2000 and is now home to more than 20 businesses, providing more than 2500 jobs.
“It’s brought thousands of jobs to Portage and it’s a great facility. That whole area is so well-kept,” Lynch said. “It’s been very beneficial to the city.”
Founder’s Square
Founder’s Square is quickly becoming one of Portage’s hottest spots. Located in the heart of the city on Central Ave, east of Willowcreek, the square is home to The Promenade Apartments that were developed by Holladay Properties. The apartment complex was purposefully developed to host businesses on the first floor of several of the buildings such as new and exciting eateries like Big Time Burgers & Brew and even a hair salon.
Part of the development included Founder’s Square Park, which boasts the handicap-accessible playground installed by Hannah’s Hope, a splash pad, and has provided the perfect gathering space for the community. It quickly has become home to festivals like Bacon Fest and German Fest, as well as summer movies in the park and concerts.
“I love Founder’s Square. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city,” Lynch said. “If you go to Founder’s any weekend in the summer, there’s always some activity. There are always people gathering and families coming together and I love it when we have concerts and families bring their kids and their dogs out. That’s what a community is, bringing people together and providing opportunities for them to come together.”
Future hopes and dreams
City Council Chambers
One of Mayor Lynch’s biggest dreams is to have a dedicated City Council chambers. The hope is to turn the truck bay in the old fire station behind the city hall into an open space, accessible to the entire community.
“Having a dedicated space where we can have video and audio equipment to broadcast the council meetings is important as it creates transparency,” Lynch said. “There’s a lot that goes on at those meetings and watching the live-stream, or viewing it later, is an important way to really know what’s going on in the city.”
Robbins Road Project
Several years ago, Portage purchased a piece of property from the Rich family with the hopes to extend Robbins Road across Willowcreek, which would provide easier access to the Portage Township Family YMCA. Lynch hopes to finally set this project in motion and see it through to completion.
Downtown Development
As Portage is still a young city, there is no dedicated downtown space, like you see in surrounding cities. While Founder’s Square has helped to spark some downtown-type growth, Lynch realizes that there are plenty more opportunities to create a thriving downtown for Portage residents.
“I’m the downtown girl. I have always wanted to see downtown be more walkable and pedestrian-friendly and make it safer for residents to bike,” she said. “It’s important to get people out and about in the community. We have to start creating places for them to go and safe ways to get there.”
Portage, Indiana is a city that has so much to offer with easy access to both highways, the lakeshore, great parks, and much more. And there’s still plenty of room for growth.
As Lynch says, “We’re only 50 years old, we’re a baby city, but I think we’re headed in the right direction. Everything is moving in a positive direction.”
