A vacant Valparaiso corner is about to get an extreme makeover as Cole Doolittle has chosen the old Harvey’s Dime Store warehouse to expand his consulting business, investing more than $1.2 million in renovating the building and adding 11 high-paying jobs to the city. His business, Waste Revelation Incorporated will occupy half of the 13,500 sq ft building at the southwest corner of Lincolnway and Campbell Street, with the rest to be leased as office space and, perhaps, a restaurant.
“We’re so pleased to see businesses like this one choosing to grow and expand in Valparaiso,” said Mayor Jon Costas. “The investments we’ve made in our downtown are drawing private dollars and jobs, and that’s a direction we want to continue,” he said. Valparaiso’s Economic Development Director Matt Murphy has been working with Waste Revelation to encourage growth in Valparaiso. The city will consider tax abatement for the portion of the building that Waste Revelation will occupy, beginning by naming the building to an Economic Revitalization Area. A façade grant is also being considered, as the building will improve the appearance of the building, which has been vacant for more than eight years.
“Entrepreneurial companies like Waste Revelation are what continue to drive the Indiana economy,” said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “This new investment and the new jobs that come with it are great news for northwest Indiana.”
“I’m really encouraged by the positive improvements Valparaiso has made to the downtown in recent years. I grew up in Valparaiso and I look forward to making a positive difference to the city,” said Doolittle, Owner of Waste Revelation, which is currently at 161 W. Lincolnway. The company provides consulting in waste management, helping companies by assessing waste and recycling processes and identifying ways to reduce costs. Waste Revelation clients include American Airlines, Sherwin Williams, and Owens Corning. The company currently has nine employees and intends to add eleven new positions.
The renovation project could begin as early as this spring. Preliminary drawings for the building, to be called Village Station, include generous use of brick and stone, as well as abundant windows in a traditional style, which complements the downtown. News of Waste Revelation’s downtown Valparaiso expansion plans comes just two months after UGN, an automotive parts manufacturer, announced that it will invest over $3 million to expand its Valparaiso operations and create up to 28 new jobs this year.