The future of the 5^th and Pine streets site is coming into focus with the naming of a preferred developer and project proposal.

The city of Michigan City and Economic Development Corporation Michigan City worked closely with Chicago Consultants on a two-part RFP process to determine the initial path for the former Memorial Hospital site that has been in the city’s hands for about five years.

The announcement of preferred developer DAC Developments was the highlight of the 3^rd annual Power Breakfast at Uptown Social that helped raise more than $11,000 to support trade show attendance of local students interested in the trades.

“DAC Developments was among seven submissions for the project,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “The team was selected based on team composition, qualifications, experience, financial capacity and conceptual approach to the site.”

The estimated $200 million proposed project includes two phases with approximately 500 apartments, a mid-rise tower, parking, retail space and a 40,000-square-foot grocery store slated for the second phase of the project. Pappageorge Haymes Partners is named as the architect for the proposed project.

“With the extensive work needed on this type of massive project, we are just in the initial stages as negotiations have started,” Hulse said. “Optimistically, the first phase could be completed in the summer of 2028.”