A new halfway house is being proposed at 305 and 307 Union Street in the College Hill neighborhood in Valparaiso. The effects of this proposed project will impact every resident and property owner in the College Hill neighborhood not just those within close proximity of the project. The proposed facility will house 24 residents and three live-in staff members in a bilevel facility on a plot of land that is only 110 x 100 feet. Many of its clientele and residents will have convictions for theft and/or drug possession and hypodermic needle possession. Some will enter the program through court order while others are admitted off the street, or after going through drug rehab. The effects of this proposed project will impact every resident and property owner in the College Hill neighborhood not just those within close proximity of the project. Four parking spaces will be provided for 27 total residents, thus creating a street parking issue in an already heavily populated neighborhood. This halfway house will be positioned steps from Will Park which is a 3 acre public children's park with playground equipment and sporting fields. Additionally, Hilltop Neighborhood House, an early childhood education center that provides full-time year-round care and education to children ages six weeks through five years is situated two blocks south east of this proposed project. If you would like to voice your concerns directly to the city, please contact Tyler Kent, Planning Director at Valparaiso City Hall, 219-462-1161, as soon as possible. Letters can be written to the City of Valparaiso, attention Mayor John Costas and mailed to 166 Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383.
