Donald Trump Jr. visited Portage and St. John on Wednesday in connection with a pair of projects with which he’s involved.
In the morning, Trump and others involved in developing two subdivisions met with Mayor Austin Bonta and members of his team at Portage City Hall to check on two of his investments in Portage. Bonta said the meeting was set up with Lotton Development, which is building the two subdivisions, about three weeks ago.
Bonta learned Trump was involved as an investor and partner when Lotton officials asked, “Is it cool if he comes to the meeting?”
When the Secret Service emailed last week about setting up security details, that’s when the mayor knew it was more than just a vague possibility. “For us, it was like, oh wow, it’s real,” Bonta said.
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“We really appreciate the Secret Service being there,” he said.
Lotton has been working with Portage for a few years to set up the two subdivisions, Bauer Farms and Sandy Trails. Bauer Farms, featuring single-family homes, is being built along County Road 700 North near Swanson Road. Sandy Trails, off U.S. 6, will feature paired housing. Ground hasn’t been broken yet.
Bauer Farms and Sandy Trail are two of the subdivisions for which the city’s Redevelopment Commission is planning to establish a residential tax increment financing district. The City Council is counting on that money to help pay for raises for police officers granted this year, retroactive to Jan. 1.
When the land for Bauer Farms was being annexed, Bonta, who wasn’t mayor yet, spoke against the annexation.
At the City Hall meeting Wednesday, “a couple people in the room asked to take a picture, and he was happy to do that,” Bonta said. He didn’t ask for Trump’s autograph. “It was really important to me that he be treated just as any other developer would be,” Bonta said.
“After a while, you just realize people are people.”
After Trump’s hour-long Portage City Hall meeting, Trump ate lunch at Gamba Ristorante in Merrillville before visiting St. John later in the day, said Chris Salatas Jr., director of economic development and political affairs with Lotton Development.
“It was a great visit,” Salatas said. “The city officials were excited to host him and have him come and visit and see all the good things they’ve been doing in their community.”
Salatas said Trump Jr. wasn’t paid for the visit.
Trump was just generally thanking the mayor for working with the rest of the team, Salatas said, and checking on progress at the subdivisions.
Over in St. John Wednesday evening, Trump Jr. received a standing ovation from a full Town Hall chamber for his work in securing an easement and water rights agreement for land the town annexed. The exact location of the easements and Trump’s connection to the property wasn’t available at press time.
“It’s great to be here,” Trump Jr. said. “You’ve been investing here for quite some time, and it’s totally been a pleasure, just want to say, working with the new town council — great dynamic shift in getting things done for us (and) trying to invest back in American communities. … we’re just really excited to be here to be able to do something like this that’s so beneficial for the town.
“Giving back these easements to be able to generate a lot of great, uh, fresh, clean water for the town, I think that’s going to be great for everyone, so we’re really excited to be here investing in Indiana.”
Town Council President Mike Bouvat, R-At Large, said that the town was “fortunate” that Trump Jr.’s group chose to partner with St. John and invest in the community’s future.
“The initiative that you have taken in seeking out new utility infrastructure for St. John is truly appreciated,” Bouvat said.
The council approved the agreement 5-0.
Doug Ross and Michelle L. Quinn are freelance reporters for the Post-Tribune.