Indiana Planning 1st New State Park Inn Since 1939

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — State officials are drafting plans for Indiana's first new inn at a state park in more than seven decades.

Indiana lawmakers in April approved using $24 million to build an inn at Potato Creek State Park. The park about 10 miles southwest of South Bend is one of Indiana's most popular state parks.

The South Bend Tribune reports the Indiana Department of Natural Resources sought proposals from private developers to build and run the inn using their own resources, but received none.

That's left the state to design and build what will become Indiana's first new lodge at a state park since 1939.

DNR spokesman Phil Bloom says once plans are ready the DNR will submit them to the State Budget Committee to seek release of funding for construction.