Gary to accept convention center design RFQs
City officials have filed a legal notice asking for design-build services to design and construct the convention center, which Gary received the bid for at the end of May. According to the legal notice, qualifications are due at noon July 28.
The city expects the applications to have an exhibit hall, ballroom and breakout meeting rooms. The 'all-inclusive project cost' should not exceed $143 million, according to the legal notice, and occupancy is expected for late 2027.
Money from gaming taxes will be put toward the convention center, and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana plans to give $1.5 million a year for 20 years toward the construction. State matching grants of $100 million will be made available as well.
A design selection will be made the week of July 28, according to the legal notice.
The city expects the convention center to be about 70,000 sellable square feet and about 145,000 gross square feet, according to the request for design-build qualifications.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton was unable to immediately comment on Tuesday, including whether this marks the start of the convention center process and what the city would like to see from applicants.
When Gary was selected May 21, Melton said it was a 'historic and monumental day' for the city and Lake County, according to Post-Tribune archives.
Gary is working with Hard Rock Casino on the convention center, and a Hard Rock Hotel is planned near the casino. The plan is for the property to also have space for two additional hotels, including one REVERB by Hard Rock hotel, and two restaurants and retail spaces, according to Post-Tribune archives.
'We are honored to be selected and grateful for everyone who stood with us throughout this bid process,' Hard Rock President Matt Schuffert said in a statement. 'Together, we have the chance to create a world-class destination that generates economic opportunity, creates jobs, drives tourism and supports local businesses.'
In May, Melton said it's possible that construction on the convention center will start this year, but he wouldn't commit to that.
In 2023, as an Indiana state senator, Melton created Senate Bill 434, which established a fund for the Lake County Convention Center, the blighted property demolition fund and new train station funding in downtown Gary.
The city of Hobart, partnered with Garfield Public/Private LLC, also submitted a proposal in October 2024. The two cities first presented proposals in early November 2024, and commissioners issued a request for proposals from potential developers in 2024.
'Whatever happened in the past is in the past,' Melton said following the May 21 selection. 'All of the naysayers and folks that didn't want us to have it, they've got to deal with it now, so we just have to move forward.'
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