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Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County commissioners select Gary convention center bid
For Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, Wednesday was a 'historic and monumental day' for the city and Lake County. About two years after plans for a convention center were announced, the Lake County Board of Commissioners selected the proposal from Gary and Hard Rock Northern Indiana as the winning bid. 'This is not a project for or against any particular group,' said Commissioner Mike Repay, D-3rd. 'This is for Lake County, and hopefully, the future … ends up being quite bright. There is work to be done, though. This is a step in the right direction and a step towards eventually approving a development agreement.' According to state statute, commissioners had until May 31 to choose a proposal. As the selected bid, Gary and Hard Rock plan to build a 145,000-square-foot convention center and Hard Rock Hotel near the casino, according to Post-Tribune archives. 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. Following the commissioners meeting Wednesday, Melton said he believes it's possible for construction to start this year, but he won't commit to that. 'We want to make sure that everything is done right,' he said. 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. Melton's original goal was for the convention center to be built in Gary, but other legislators blocked that language, he said. Melton believes Wednesday was a full-circle moment for him. 'Once we got past today, we knew it was going to be when the real work was going to start,' Melton said. 'So now we're ready to get to the real work.' Gary was one of two Northwest Indiana communities that submitted a proposal for the Lake County Convention Center. The city of Hobart, partnered with Garfield Public/Private LLC, also submitted a proposal. Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun congratulated the city of Gary and Hard Rock Northern Indiana in a statement following the proposal selection. Huddlestun told the Post-Tribune that he hopes the convention center delivers on what everyone hopes it can be. 'We felt our location (near U.S. 30 and Interstate 65) better served the region as a whole, but the decision was made, and we're going to support the Hard Rock and Gary on the convention center, and do whatever we can to help and partner together,' Huddlestun said. 'Our goals still remain shared, and our future is all connected. The city of Hobart remains committed to collaborating on mutual investments and progress that lifts all communities.' The two communities first presented proposals in early November 2024. Proposals were due to the commissioners on Oct. 16, 2024. Commissioners issued a request for proposals from potential developers in May 2024. County commissioners could have chosen not to accept either proposal. Commissioner Jerry Tippy, R-2nd, said Hard Rock will be required to run the convention center, and the casino submitted two letters from financial institutions agreeing to provide financing if matching funds are made. Tippy also said state, county or local income taxes from other Northwest Indiana communities will not be used for the convention center. Gary has the option to use their local taxes, Tippy said. Gary plans to put money from gaming taxes toward the convention center, and Hard Rock 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. 'This is the first time, in my lifetime, that I've seen the state of Indiana set aside $100 million in this manner,' said Commissioner Kyle Allen, D-2nd. 'The project will be transformational.' If the convention center is successful, Allen believes there will be more projects like it throughout the region, he said. In a statement following the vote, President of Hard Rock Matt Schuffert called the proposal selection 'a tremendous moment for Lake County.' 'We are honored to be selected and grateful for everyone who stood with us throughout this bid process,' Schuffert said. 'Together, we have the chance to create a world-class destination that generates economic opportunity, creates jobs, drives tourism and supports local businesses.' Throughout the convention center bid process, Gary and Hard Rock campaigned for the bid, encouraging citizens to voice their support for their proposal. Hard Rock also made an initial investment of $50,000 into television and digital advertisements. The 30-second commercials advertised the benefits of the Lake County Convention Center in Gary, featuring city sites and prominent community members, including Melton. 'Our focus is to educate people about the project and build excitement for the new local jobs and economic opportunities this will create,' Pat Kremer, spokesperson for Hard Rock, previously said in an email. 'No tax dollars were used for these ads and no new tax dollars will be needed for the project if the Gary location is selected.' In a Wednesday statement, President and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority Phil Taillon said the commissioners' decision was a pivotal moment for the region. 'The selection of Gary for a convention center site is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our visitor economy, and we're incredibly grateful for the Lake County Commissioners leadership through this process, and the state's investment into this project,' Taillon said. 'With this exciting decision, the South Shore CVA is ready to help lead the region into a new era of growth, tourism and economic development.' Lake County Councilman Ron Brewer, D-2nd, said in a statement that the bid acceptance is a win for Lake County as a whole. 'With the construction and all the trades involved, every community throughout the region is going to be touched. We need all hands on deck to get this done,' Brewer said. Randy Palmateer, business manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, said in a text message Wednesday that he's excited about the commissioners' selection. Palmateer has gotten a verbal agreement from Hard Rock that a project labor agreement will be negotiated with the Building and Construction Trades Council. 'This will ensure local, highly trained and union workers I represent will be on this project,' Palmateer said. '(Due) to the hydrogen hub and other large projects not coming to fruition like we thought, this project is great news (and) gives us something to look forward to.' Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-5th, said in a news release Wednesday that commissioners performed their due diligence before making a selection. She believes that if the project is completed, constriction of the convention center and supporting businesses 'will mean an influx of good-paying skilled trade jobs,' according to the news release. Cid also plans to watch how locating the convention center next to Hard Rock will affect revenues generated for Hammond and East Chicago by Lake County's other two casinos. Cid said revenues at Northwest Indiana casinos have dipped since the opening of Wind Creek Casino less than 10 miles across the Indiana-Illinois border, which were reflected in state gaming revenue reports in March and April. She also plans to be watchful of negative financial impact and is concerned about financial obligations of county taxpayers. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott and East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland have both previously said they didn't support a convention center in Gary. The Hammond council and McDermott all said they didn't support a Lake County Convention Center. Copeland wanted Hobart to get the bid, but his council supported Gary. Hard Rock has put Horseshoe Casino in Hammond at an economic disadvantage, with revenues 'steadily (decreasing)' in the last several years, according to Post-Tribune archives. Horseshoe has lost about $13 million each year since Hard Rock's opening, McDermott previously said. Copeland previously told the Post-Tribune that he's opposed to Gary's bid because East Chicago has lost about $10 million since Hard Rock was built. Schuffert previously said he respects both leaders for their work to protect their cities. Melton previously said in a statement that he worked with McDermott to identify opportunities for Hammond to benefit from Gary's proposal when drafting legislation. He said the county cannot prosper if Gary is excluded from growth. Following Wednesday's meeting, Melton said he's no longer worried about the negative reactions to a Gary bid. 'It's here, we got it,' Melton said. 'Whatever happened in the past is in the past. 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.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Lake County Convention Center Is Coming to Gary
It's official. The Lake County Board of Commissioners selected Gary as the site for the new Lake County Convention Center. The commissioners announced the decision Wednesday morning to a packed room and were met with rousing applause from an audience that included Gary residents and city officials. What began as proposals for 14 sites across the county was narrowed to five in March 2024 and ultimately down to two finalists: Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary and Patriot Park in Hobart. 'This was not an easy decision,' Lake County Commissioner Jerry Tippy said. The push for a county convention center began in the Indiana Senate in 2023 when lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 434. Mayor Eddie Melton, a state senator at the time, was the principal author of that bill. That legislation established the Lake County Economic Development and Convention Fund, authorizing resources for a county convention center and opening the door for site proposals to the Board of Commissioners. In 2018, the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, located just off U.S. 30, closed and was demolished, leaving Northwest Indiana without a venue for large conventions and shows. Last year, Gary joined forces with Hard Rock Casino to propose a 145,000-square-foot convention center with 73,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, including a 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall and an 18,000-square-foot foot ballroom. The plan includes adding a Hard Rock Hotel, which is estimated to have 300 rooms. The prospect of Gary landing the county convention center has sparked excitement and widespread interest among local officials and residents alike. In March, hundreds of residents from Gary and across Lake County packed St. Timothy Church in the Tolleston neighborhood to hear Mayor Eddie Melton unveil details of Gary's convention center proposal. In the weeks that followed, the city and Hard Rock Casino rolled out a series of commercials highlighting the bid's projected economic boost and showcasing renderings of the new facility. Earlier this year, Gary's bid came under legislative fire from the Hammond City Council and its mayor, Tom McDermott, who attributed $13 million in losses to Gary's casino, which opened in 2022. The post New Lake County Convention Center Is Coming to Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Melton Highlights Progress, Outlines Future Plans in His State of the City Address
Mayor Eddie Melton delivered his second State of the City address Tuesday, using the milestone to highlight the city's progress as it continues rebuilding. The address, delivered at Embassies of Christ Church, comes nearly 18 months since he took office and offered a shift from campaign promises to a review of the administration's accomplishments thus far. 'In last year's State of the City address, we talked about what we must do to stabilize the city and restore security for our city's most basic needs,' Melton said. 'This year, we must continue to execute on the array of solutions that are going to help grow the city.' Melton's address was largely built around a presentation highlighting many of the administration's victories, from paying off old city debts to overseeing a 17% increase in property tax revenue. But he surprised the crowd with a major announcement toward the end of his speech. He revealed that FedEx will build a 317,000-square-foot warehousing and distribution facility in Gary, investing more than $60 million. The facility is expected to be in operation in 2027, he said. Decisions like bringing on the city's first engineer and grant writers have been instrumental in instituting programs that have directly impacted residents, including the city's American Rescue Plan Act-funded, $3.4 million 'Relight the City' project and the grant-funded 'Love Your Block' program. Phase one of the relighting project has already begun on Broadway and Ridge Road, and Melton pledged more. 'Next, we're going into the neighborhoods so every single light in this city will be repaired,' he said. Melton also spotlighted improvements in public safety, noting that the city police department hired 16 new recruits last year. In addition, he said Gary achieved: a 77% homicide closure rate, a reduction in nonfatal shootings, with 134 incidents in 2024 compared to 147 in 2023, and a drop in homicides from 52 in 2023 to 40 last year. He also highlighted the city's crackdown on illegal dumping, reporting 25 arrests in 2023 and 11 arrests so far this year. Looking ahead, Melton said the city is partnering with the Gary YWCA to open a new shelter on the city's east side to serve women and children in need. He also announced plans to launch a special response unit to remove the ubiquitous graffiti throughout Gary. Though his time as mayor has been eventful, it is perhaps his last act as a state senator that has paid the most dividends for the city early in his administration. Senate Bill 434, which was authored by Melton and signed into law in 2023, has produced tangible results around the city, including demolition and blight elimination in the Miller and Aetna neighborhoods and the nearing possibility of a new Lake County convention center attached to Hard Rock Casino. Melton delivered his first State of the City address just 100 days into his administration, prior to the initiation of most of his vision. Now, with nearly 18 months under his belt, the mayor was able to speak from experience as opposed to aspiration. This story will be updated. The post Melton Highlights Progress, Outlines Future Plans in His State of the City Address appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gary vs. Hammond: Battle Brews Over Casino-Backed Convention Center
Tensions are rising across Northwest Indiana as the Lake County Board of Commissioners nears a decision in the coming weeks between Gary and Hobart to host a new multimillion-dollar convention center. The proposal has surfaced a regional divide, with officials in nearby cities that host competing casinos taking public stances on the possibility of the center being built in home to Horseshoe Casino, and East Chicago, where AmeriStar Casino operates, have had differing responses to Gary's bid. In Hammond, the Common Council passed a resolution last week opposing Gary's bid for the convention center. The resolution states in part: 'The Common Council of the City of Hammond hereby strongly requests that the Lake County Commissioners do not select a location for a Lake County Convention Center at this time as it does not make economic sense, potentially subsidizes one casino at the expense of other casinos, including Horseshoe Hammond, and it is not in the best interests of taxpayers and residents of the City of Hammond.' Discussion about placing the Lake County Convention Center in Gary sparked a spirited exchange, with Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott being vocal in his opposition. 'Hard Rock Casino is the most profitable casino in the state of Indiana,' McDermott said during an April 14 Common Council meeting. 'And they're on the cusp of getting a couple hundred million dollars in tax incentives to build an addition to their casino. It's outrageous.' He added, 'Why do the citizens of Lake County have to fund Hard Rock's expansion? We've already lost $13 million a year to Hard Rock … and it's not stopping.' As the discussion continued, McDermott grew frustrated when Councilman Barry Tyler Jr. asked to postpone the vote until next month so he could gather more information. 'Gary doesn't want to be our partner, Councilman Barry,' McDermott said. … 'Hard Rock doesn't want to be our partner. They want to kill our casino. I don't know who you're talking to or why you think Gary loves us so much.' Gary Mayor Eddie Melton pushed back on McDermott's comments afterward, saying that the project would be funded by increased wagering tax revenue generated by Hard Rock Casino, not local tax dollars. Melton also said that he spoke with McDermott early in the process. 'When drafting Senate Bill 434 in 2023 as a state senator, I discussed this concept with Mayor McDermott,' Melton said, referencing the legislation he authored that made a Lake County convention center possible. 'I even identified opportunities for Hammond to benefit from Gary's proposal by developing a strategy to invest in the corridor from Grant Street to Calumet Avenue and transform it into an entertainment corridor.' Melton continued, 'Mayor McDermott blames Gary for Hammond's lost revenue but conveniently ignores that two other casinos have opened in Chicago. You can't attribute all these losses to Gary alone.' Melton pointed to Gary's long history of not having a casino. 'For 20 years, Gary had to compete while sandwiched between two other casino municipalities. Throughout those two decades, Gary never received subsidies from neighboring cities, nor was any … language established to protect our city's economic viability.' In East Chicago, the Common Council and Mayor Anthony Copeland landed on opposite sides of the issue. In late March, the council passed a resolution in support of Gary's bid for the convention center, highlighting the potential economic benefit for the entire region. The resolution states: 'This project leverages the success and appeal of Northwest Indiana's top tourist attraction, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, which has drawn more than 8 million visitors in less than four years. 'The Lake County Convention Center in Gary, Indiana, will capitalize on that success to further stimulate tourism, create jobs, and expand opportunities for local businesses and vendors, thereby contributing to long-term economic growth in Gary but also in surrounding communities such as East Chicago.' The resolution, however, was vetoed by Copeland. According to City Controller, Valeriano Gomez, who spoke on behalf of the mayor at the April 9 council meeting, Copeland's primary concern was the potential negative impact on East Chicago's local gaming industry, particularly AmeriStar Casino, which has already seen revenue decline since the arrival of the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. Copeland's veto was overridden on an 8-1 vote, as most council members maintained the Gary convention center would be beneficial to both Gary and East Chicago. 'As a city, we need to come together,' Councilwoman Monica Gonzalez said. 'We know this is going to happen, and most likely, it's going to be in Gary. So let's plan and let's get together with them and see how we can help them and ensure that they are here for the long run.' Councilwoman Gilda Orange, who also supported the resolution, highlighted the commonalities between Gary and East Chicago while recognizing the potential benefit for East Chicago's workforce. 'I don't always agree with Councilwoman Gonzalez, but on this, I do agree,' she said. 'I'm looking at Gary as a sister city to East Chicago. When you look at who has been ostracized in the state, it's usually Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond. We are usually left out for everything. If that convention center comes here, people from East Chicago can get on the bus and go to work.' The proposed development is a 145,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art convention center designed to meet the specifications outlined in the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority's study. The final cost of the project has yet to be revealed. It will feature 73,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and exhibition space, including a 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall, an 18,000-square-foot ballroom, and 15,000 square feet of breakout meeting rooms. The project will also include a Hard Rock Hotel with approximately 300 guest rooms, two full-service restaurants, retail space, and additional amenities to support tourism and business travel. The post Gary vs. Hammond: Battle Brews Over Casino-Backed Convention Center appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Chicago Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Hammond urges commissioners to not select convention center proposal
Another Lake County mayor has expressed concerns with a potential convention center — this time backed by council members, urging commissioners to not select either proposal. At Monday's Hammond Common Council meeting, members approved a resolution opposing the selection of a location for the Lake County Convention Center. '… the Common Council of the City of Hammond hereby strongly requests that the Lake County Commissioners do not select a location for a Lake County Convention Center at this time as it does not make economic sense, potentially subsidizes one casino at the expense of other casinos, including Horseshoe Hammond, and it is not in the best interests of taxpayers and residents of the City of Hammond,' read the resolution, sponsored by Councilman Scott Rakos, D-6th. Councilman Barry Tyler, Jr., D-3rd, was the lone opposing vote. He asked the council to table the resolution until its May 12 meeting, but the motion failed in a 3-6 vote. Tyler told Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott he didn't have all of the necessary information to vote in favor of the resolution, and he encouraged McDermott to sit down with the mayors of Gary and Hobart about his concerns. The councilman said he'd talked with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton about the convention center and felt the convention center might also benefit Hammond. 'This could be an opportunity to provide additional revenue to our city with some type of partnership agreement,' Tyler said. 'I know the city of Gary is interested in having that conversation. I don't know if Hobart would be, but potentially we could try to schedule time to have that conversation with them, too.' The four-page resolution mentioned Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has put Horseshoe at an economic disadvantage, with revenues 'steadily (decreasing)' in the last several years. Hard Rock has submitted a bid for the convention center with the city of Gary. The city of Hobart also submitted a proposal. In 2023, as a state senator, Melton crafted Senate Bill 434, creating the Lake County Convention and Economic Development Fund. The fund was designated for convention center creation, the Blighted Property Demolition Fund, and revitalization of the Gary Metro Station to complement the South Shore Double Tracking project. Melton intended for the convention center to go to Gary, but legislation was shifted to give decision-making power over where the convention center would be located to Lake County. Commissioners will decide by May 31 where the project will be depending on proposals. Lake County commissioners can choose to select neither location. Gary's proposal envisions a 145,000-square-foot convention center and Hard Rock Hotel near the casino, according to Post-Tribune archives. The property would also have space for two additional hotels, including one REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel, and two restaurants and retail spaces. The city of Hobart and Garfield Public/Private LLC submitted a proposal for a 149,000-square-foot facility at Patriot Park. The developer plans for the space surrounding the convention center to include an existing 70-unit veterans transition housing along with three other residential buildings that would contain 680 market-rate units; two 100-unit hotels; a 55-acre youth sports complex; mixed retail/office buildings; five multi-tenant, retail and restaurant buildings and five flex office warehouse buildings, among other amenities, according to Post-Tribune archives. Council President Dave Woerpel, D-5th, said he thinks the past has shown that a convention center wouldn't benefit Lake County. He also thinks it's dangerous to build a facility when people haven't yet felt the effects of Senate Bill 1, which Gov. Mike Braun signed into law Tuesday. 'How do you explain that in three to four years from now that the state says we're going to be $8 million short towards our city budget? And the state says we can impose a city income tax,' Woerpel said. 'It's not where it's going. I don't think we need a convention center, period.' The Hammond resolution claims that the former Star Plaza site in Merrillville is proof a convention center can't work in Lake County, saying there is not a 'market for a viable and profitable convention center that is not significantly subsidized by public dollars.' McDermott showed his support for the resolution at Monday's meeting, saying Hammond's main casino industry competitor will only continue to get bigger. 'Hard Rock Casino is the most profitable casino in the state of Indiana,' McDermott said. 'And they're on the cusp of getting a couple hundred million dollars in tax incentives to build an addition to their casino. Let that sink in.' Since Hard Rock's opening, Horseshoe has lost about $13 million each year, McDermott said Monday. He previously told the Post-Tribune that the Hammond casino lost between $15-20 million each year. The city of Gary did not immediately send a comment Wednesday. Melton previously told the Post-Tribune that the convention center was originally meant for Gary, which he believes makes the city the best option. Although his main concerns surround Hard Rock and Gary, McDermott said he doesn't support a convention center in Hobart as well, saying he thinks it will fail like Star Plaza. 'This is a no brainer, guys,' McDermott told the council. Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun addressed Hammond's concerns to the Post-Tribune Wednesday, saying he understands that McDermott is trying to do what's best for his city. However, Huddlestun believes the commissioners should still select the best site for the county, which he said is Hobart. 'This is a Lake County Convention Center for the benefit of Lake County residents,' Huddlestun said. 'This is not a Hobart convention center … Our entire proposal is wrapped around benefits for Lake County.' McDermott has historically not supported the Lake County Convention Center, saying in September that the facility will become a burden for the host community and it will negatively impact other county resources. Last week, East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland announced his opposition to the convention center being built in Gary. The East Chicago Common Council overrode a veto from Copeland addressing a council resolution in support of the convention center in Gary. Copeland previously told the Post-Tribune that he was 'blindsided' by the resolution and feels the council didn't know how much Hard Rock had impacted East Chicago. In three years, East Chicago has lost $10 million in revenue, Copeland said. He also mentioned that the city of Gary owes East Chicago $6.5 million after money was mistakenly given to the city by the Indiana State Comptroller. Indiana House Bill 1448 — authored by Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville — ensures East Chicago will receive those funds. The bill passed both the state House and Senate. Copeland told the Post-Tribune he'd prefer for the convention center to be in Hobart because the city doesn't have a casino to compete with East Chicago. Though the legislation allows the Lake County Council to increase its innkeeper's tax by up to 5% for a revenue stream, Gary's plan does not include a request for the county to increase the tax. Gary and Hard Rock have campaigned to be selected by commissioners, most notably with the casino's $50,000 initial investment into television and digital advertisements. The commercial does not mention Hobart has also submitted a proposal or that other Lake County communities had the opportunity to submit a proposal. Taxpayer dollars were not used to create the commercial, Hard Rock officials confirmed.
