

East Chicago Breaks Ground on $4M Fitzsimmons Redevelopment
East Chicago held a groundbreaking ceremony at 3735 Main Street; the site of the Fitzsimmons Redevelopment project, formerly Fitzsimmons Furniture. The new construction will not only beautify the downtown area but will spur economic development throughout the North Harbor district. The revitalization plan will also strengthen the downtown area in terms of growth and bring more shopping options to residents.
Mayor Copeland stated, “My commitment to restoring our downtown continues with the demolition and redevelopment of the once vibrant Fitzsimmons furniture business on Main Street. This is a $4 million project. The city has partnered with the Regional Development Authority (RDA) and the Urban Enterprise Association (UEA) who has also committed $1 million to this effort. There is much more to do, and I will continue to improve our city with new projects in the upcoming months.”

Pictured is: Rita Jaque Gillis, Director of the Urban Enterprise Association, Mayor Anthony Copeland, and Christine Russel, board member.
This project continues to meet the goals of the Hyatt Palma study to restore the North Harbor Downtown District. This is just one of the many quality of life improvements benefitting the residents of East Chicago.
This Fitzsimmons Redevelopment building features a total of 19,235 square feet. It has an all brick exterior finish. Sun shades are included over the commercial windows and awnings over the first-floor townhome entries. The size of the three townhomes range from 1,420 – 1,490 net square feet. Each unit has two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen/dining room. The four apartments are located above the commercial space on the second and third floors and vary in size from 1,881 square feet to 2,063 square feet. These units have three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a large living room, kitchen and dining room. Three of the four units come with a small den. The townhomes and apartments are equipped with a laundry closet. The commercial space is 4,042 net square feet and ready for development.
The project is scheduled for completion in late spring to early summer of 2019.