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Chicago Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
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.
Chicago Tribune
29-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gary council committee hears update on jewel parks renovations
Ahead of the Gary Common Council's next meeting, some members learned more about updates to the city's jewel parks project. The council is soon expected to vote on salary and operating budgets for the city's jewel parks construction funds. Gary council's finance committee — overseen by Councilwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd — will first look at the budgets. The council's parks, recreation and culture committee heard an update about the jewel parks project, both from Director Mattiee Fitzgerald and Parks Manager Charles Prewitt. 'Our intention for the city of Gary is to revitalize our parks, to make them more park friendly,' Fitzgerald said, 'not only for our residents, but for visitors who come through the city of Gary.' Council members present at the parks, recreation and culture committee meeting were acting President Lori Latham, D-1st; Parliamentarian Linda Barnes Caldwell, D-3rd; Councilwoman Marian Ivey, D-4th; and Councilman Dwight Williams, D-6th. Gary's jewel parks are spread throughout the city, with one in each district. The locations are Glen Ryan Park in the First District; Brunswick Park in the Second District; Tolleston Park in the Third District; Ironwood Park in the Fourth District; Roosevelt Park in the Fifth District; and Howe Park in the Sixth District. Each of the parks was determined to be a major renovation focus because of activities and recreation for children, according to Post-Tribune archives. Conversations about renovating the city's parks have been had for more than 15 years, and Gary said parks would be in 'workable shape' during the summer of 2012, according to Post-Tribune archives. City leadership and teams have continued work on the six projects in the years since. In former Mayor Jerome Prince's 2021 State of City address, he expressed that his administration was working with the council's district representatives for the jewel parks project. Before Mayor Eddie Melton was inaugurated, he also expressed his commitment to the renovations. Each district received $500,000 to renovate the parks, Prewitt told council members March 20. The renovations are about 60% complete, he also said. 'The main focus of our work to be done will be asphalt paving of the basketball courts, tennis courts and pickleball courts,' Prewitt said. Prewitt gave updates on the six parks and what updates still need to be done, most of which included repaving of the courts. Glen Ryan Park has received new signage, a new playground and shelter upgrades, which include a new concrete pad, an electrical system with outlets and picnic tables. The parks department is still working to resurface and pave the basketball courts, which have received quotes of $150,000 and are awaiting a contractor selection. Prewitt hopes to have all asphalt paving completed by Memorial Day. Brunswick Park has received new signage and a new playground. The city is still resurfacing and paving the basketball court, which has received the same quote as Glen Ryan Park. Brunswick's pavilion is at 'ground zero' due to vandalism, and a roof has not been installed because of a leak at the gym. The shelter's architectural shingles also have not been installed. Tolleston Park has received a new pavilion, signage, shelter and playground area. The park is still resurfacing and updating its basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, which also received a $150,000 quote. In the Fourth District, Ironwood Park has received sidewalk repairs and a new playground installation. The city is still resurfacing and paving the park's basketball, pickleball and tennis courts. Roosevelt Park is still in progress, with a tennis court being converted into a roller rink, astro turf replacement at the pool area, new ADA entrances, decorative lightpoles in the center of new picnic tables and basketball court resurfacing and paving. Howe Park in the Sixth District has received new concrete in its shelter areas, pavilion renovations and a new playground area. The city is still focused on basketball court resurfacing and paving at the park. Council members asked questions about what can still be added to the parks, with multiple members wanting an emphasis on programs for senior residents. Ivey asked if a walking track could be added at Ironwood Park. Ivey first asked about updates to the track at Tolleston Park. Latham told her the track is now owned by the Boys and Girls Club, which is located next to Tolleston Park. Williams asked about Roosevelt Park's pavilion, which has been renovated through the project, and if a local senior group was meeting there like before. Prewitt and Fitzgerald told Williams that they're no longer meeting there, but that the pavilions at Roosevelt and Tolleston have 'some type of event' there each weekend and are generating revenue. Latham told Williams that the group, which focused on exercise and socialization, wasn't funded by the parks department and received a grant that is no longer funded. Pavilions at Glen Ryan, Roosevelt and Tolleston parks have all been completed, Fitzgerald told council members. 'I must say myself, those are really nice, so those are available for rental and community events as well,' she added. Williams asked Fitzgerald if any senior projects are focused at the three pavilions yet. The parks have nothing on the calendar, Fitzgerald said, but they're open for senior residents to use pavilions. Gary's Age-Friendly Advisory Council, which was announced in February, could help with senior events at the parks, Latham said. The council will vote on the parks construction fund at a later meeting, which is expected to be in April.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New $30M YMCA Coming to Gary's Tolleston Neighborhood
Gary officials have unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, 91,000-square-foot YMCA in the Tolleston neighborhood that they hope will serve as a community hub. The $30 million project, one of the largest recent investments in the city, will provide fitness programs, health care services, and educational resources for the youth. On Friday morning, residents filled the Tolleston Park Pavilion for a first look at a project that has already been cleared for takeoff. 'This is going to be the anchor for this neighborhood,' Mayor Eddie Melton said. '[It's] going to be a draw for more folks that want to live in Gary as we do everything that we can as an administration to further stabilize this neighborhood and other neighborhoods.' The facility is funded through a mix of city, state, and philanthropic contributions. In 2022, the Gary Common Council appropriated $10 million from the city's American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the project, with an additional $10 million in contributions from both the state of Indiana and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. After imploring those in attendance to give themselves a round of applause for showing up, long-standing Councilwoman Mary Brown detailed her enthusiasm about the project. 'I am excited about this. I've been excited about it for months,' Brown said. 'I've had an opportunity to see [YMCAs] in other cities, and I know the kinds of things that they bring to the community.' In the years since the council passed the plan, leadership of the YMCA and city officials held several engagement sessions where they surveyed community members to better understand the needs of the community. 'We had sessions at Methodist Hospital, we went to high schools around the area and really started to form this vision that this is going to be more than just a facility,' said Jay Buckmaster, CEO of Crossroads YMCA. 'This is a long-term investment in the city of Gary, where people will strengthen this community.' The new facility will be built at the site of the current Boys & Girls Club, formerly Tolleston Middle School, at 2700 W. 19th Ave. Designed as a hybrid space, the YMCA will house the Boys & Girls Club while also partnering with Methodist Hospitals to provide on-site health care services. Buckmaster said there will be an opportunity to raise an additional $10 million through various naming rights for the in attendance voiced overwhelming support for the project. 'I'm 1,000 percent behind this project. … There's nothing going to stop this,' said Bruce Curry, a New Jersey native who relocated to Gary. 'We're ready to make Gary greater,' he continued. 'I want everybody to be behind this project; we gotta make things happen here.' Though support for the project dominated the pavilion, some community members voiced concerns over cost, wondering if Gary residents could support the facility. 'This community does not have enough people that would actually help pay the monthly fee to sustain a building like this,' said Gary resident Robert Coleman. Buckmaster remained hopeful in his response, pointing out the YMCA's offering of income-based membership assistance. Site preparation is scheduled to begin later this month, with an official groundbreaking ceremony to follow next month. The post New $30M YMCA Coming to Gary's Tolleston Neighborhood appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Chicago Tribune
12-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gary Common Council approves grants and special revenues budgets for 2025
The Gary Common Council approved its first ordinance of 2025, which amended the initial grants and special revenues salary and operating budgets for the city. The ordinance passed unanimously. Seven members were present, with Councilwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd, absent. Vice President Lori Latham oversaw the meeting as acting president after former President Tai Adkins resigned following the Jan. 21 meeting to become Calumet Township trustee. A caucus for the council's Fourth District seat is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center, 1900 W. 41st Ave. in Gary. City Controller Celita Green presented an overview of the budget proposal, including a general investigator position in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The full-time position was approved to pay $39,355 in 2024, and the city proposed the same salary for 2025. The city also asked for $11,938.18 in various categories for the EEOC, including workmen's and unemployment compensation. The budget also asks for a $39,685 salary for the supervisor investigator position for Gary's Fair Housing program. The requested salary is the same as 2024. Other categories, including workmen's and unemployment compensation, ask for $12,044.39. Council members unanimously amended the ordinance to withdraw two departments from the budget, choosing to vote on certain numbers at a later date. The Health and Human Services department asked for $70,000 for a full-time project manager position in the Opioid Settlement division. In 2024, the department had a part-time project officer position in the department, but it was not included in the 2025 budget. Latham had concerns about how the position would be paid after the grant funding runs out. 'There are probably massive cuts of federal funding and state funding coming to local governments in almost all areas,' Latham said. 'You may have to put someone who's currently working there in that position to just brace ourselves for (what could happen).' Veronica Collins-Ellis, executive director of the city's health department, told Latham that the funding is already confirmed. Latham still encouraged her to look within the health department for the position. Latham also asked for a program plan and a job description. Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, asked if Green and Collins-Ellis could come to the next meeting with that information so the council could vote. The amendment also removed the vote on the warming and cooling center department's budget in the community development fund. Gary council members wanted a program plan for how the centers will be used. 'I think it's going to be critical that we see you all have a program plan … so that we have a bit more confidence that we're keeping everybody safe,' Latham said.
