Portage is making progress on a number of projects, despite lingering financial challenges. That was the message Mayor Sue Lynch shared during her State of the City address Thursday.
"Due to a heavy debt load, weak financial practices of the past and lack of transparency, we were quickly moving towards becoming a distressed city. We knew that coming in. We took on that challenge, and we are working hard to move our city onto stronger financial footing," she told members of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.
Lynch says work continues on the city's downtown, including the finishing touches on the Founders Square remodeling and the start of a master plan for the former little league field. "Everybody knows I'm the downtown gal, and I want nothing more than to see a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown where families can gather and there's all kinds of events," Lynch said.
Meanwhile, the city hall renovation is scheduled to be done by mid-spring, and plans are underway to turn the old police station property into a new outdoor learning center near the library. The city is also looking to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant and outfit police officers with body cameras, thanks to American Rescue Plan funding. But Portage is also set to benefit from larger regional projects, and Lynch credits her active membership in the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for opening those opportunities.
"The distribution of state and federal funds is vital to our city's progress, especially with the new Double Track going right through the northern portion of our city," she said.
Going forward, Lynch says she's working hard to bring new voices into city government, both by diversifying representation on boards and commissions and by bringing back the Portage Youth Commission.
