Gary council narrowly approves Beckman school rezoning
Twenty years after it closed, the shuttered Alfred Beckman Middle School will be rezoned, narrowly receiving approval from the Gary Common Council.
At its Tuesday meeting, the council ended a months-long debate about if the former middle school should rezone from R2 residential to a planned unit development, or PUD, and B3-1, which allows for shopping centers or large stores.
Various residents have expressed concern about the proposed development. The council had no discussion before the vote, and the petitioner did not speak.
The council approved the rezoning in a narrow 5-4 vote. Council members Mary Brown, D-3rd; Linda Barnes Caldwell, D-5th; Darren Washington, D-at large; Kenneth Whisenton, D-at large; and Dwight Williams, D-6th, voted for the ordinance.
Washington told the Post-Tribune that the city needs to look at its taxes, adding that there isn't a strong base for business taxes. He understands residents' concerns, Washington said, but the city needs more businesses.
'When you're on council, there's times you have to make hard decisions,' Washington said. 'I had no hesitation voting for this development.'
Brown and Whisenton have also expressed concerns about Gary's tax base and have said projects like this are the best way to help the city. Williams believes the city needs more jobs to keep younger generations in Gary.
Council President Lori Latham, D-1st; and members Dwayne Halliburton, D-2nd; Marian Ivey, D-4th; and Myles Tolliver, D-at large, voted against the rezone.
Tolliver previously said his biggest concern with the development is that it would be in a residential area. Latham is a member of Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, a local activist group that has been outspoken in their opposition to the project.
'GARD is concerned about the sustainable economic development of the city as a whole and properties located in dense residential districts and is opposed to projects that would put those residents and neighborhoods' health, safety and viability at risk,' said a statement from the organization.
The petitioner, Indiana Investment Properties, asked to rezone the former middle school, located 1430 W. 23rd Ave.
Heitman Architects, an Illinois-based developer, would create a 'commercial business planned development' that will focus on manufacturing, according to project documents.
The project originally received an unfavorable opinion from the Gary Zoning department and plan commission. Corrie Sharp, primary contact for the Gary Zoning department, met with the developers to address project concerns, including building height and traffic in the area.
The updated ordinance included a new timeline for the project, with demolition happening within eight months, development must be commenced within 18 months, and the primary structure must be completed within three years of passage, according to Post-Tribune archives.
Updates also addressed traffic concerns, saying trucks must enter and exit off 22nd Avenue and leave 23rd Avenue open for car access.
Even with ordinance updates, multiple Gary residents expressed distrust in the company and project. Residents have previously said the project is a 'truck stop,' which council members, developers and city officials have said is not the case.
Gary resident and GARD member Carolyn McCrady said local zoning laws serve a purpose, and bringing a warehouse-like facility to a residential neighborhood is 'not a good look.'
'The Beckman community is at risk,' McCrady said Tuesday.
Other residents shared McCrady's sentiment, including Gail Tubbs, who said the city needs to invest in properties that are going to help move the city forward.
'This is going to take up space,' Tubbs said Tuesday. 'It's not going to help beautify the neighborhood.'
Other residents encouraged council members to advocate for what residents want, saying they represent those who live in the city and voted for them.
'You're supposed to be representing what citizens want,' said Gary resident Bruce Curry. 'Say no to this rezoning but not to development in Gary.'
Resident John Allen said Tuesday that he supports the Beckman development, which was met with several 'boos' from other audience members.
Allen shared the sentiment of council members who voted for the project, saying the city needs businesses to help with its tax base, especially as they will soon feel effects of Senate Bill 1, which Gov. Mike Braun signed into law Tuesday.
'No city can survive without taxes,' Allen said.
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