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Redevelopment Commission approves property awards, contracts and program adjustments in unanimous votes
Summary
At its June 1 special meeting the City of Gary Redevelopment Commission unanimously passed a series of resolutions approving property disposals, container purchases, demolition and appraisal contracts, site-access agreements, a budget correction for a façade grant and authorization to advertise bids for a public parking lot.
The City of Gary Redevelopment Commission on June 1 approved a bundle of resolutions that together advance property disposition, immediate storage and demolition needs, appraisal services and several site-access or site-assessment activities.
The commission voted unanimously to table Resolution 7694 (Broadway landscaping) at staff’s request, but approved the remaining resolutions after staff presentations and brief questions. Highlights included Resolution 7695, to acquire three 20-foot storage containers from Will Scott to hold salvageable items from the Genesis Convention Center demolition (quote $6,644.70); Resolution 7696, awarding 5625 East 13th Place to adjacent homeowner Paul Dennis (appraisal $6,000) with Mr. Dennis describing plans for a two-car detached garage; and Resolution 7697, awarding two contiguous Tompkins Street lots (2952 and 2954) appraised at $6,000 each to Jay Leer of First Metropolitan Builders, who outlined coordination with Hard Rock and an envisioned hotel/convention footprint.
Other approvals included a $7,500 demolition contract for 768–770 Broadway to address an unsecured freestanding brick wall that staff described as a public-safety hazard; an internal transfer of $62,597.31 within the commission’s nonreverting fund to cover outstanding utility and vendor bills and recently approved items; and increases or awards for three appraisal firms to ensure appraisal capacity for city parcels. The commission also approved a corrected cash-balance for a façade grant program and granted temporary site-access agreements for community activations (including one to Kim Mazelle and her nonprofit for three vacant lots) and for a church baptismal event. Staff also obtained approval to contract with Caramea Inc. for environmental site assessment at Gleon Gilroy Stadium in coordination with Indiana University Northwest.
Director Chris Harris framed several items as due-diligence and operational necessities. On the storage-container request he said the containers are needed "prior to demolition of the Genesis Convention Center" so salvageable chairs, stage equipment and wood flooring can be preserved for future city events. Attorney Jenkins clarified that the storage-container quote is set up as an ownership purchase rather than a lease.
Every resolution presented for a vote recorded unanimous roll-call approval by the commissioners in attendance (Commissioners Wissentton, Borum, Dunham, Clemens and President Stallings). When specific costs or quantities were cited in staff reports they were recorded into the meeting record; where contract or scope details were not finalized staff said they would incorporate quotes and draft contracts after the meeting.
The commission also authorized advertising for bids for Phase 1 of the Miller parking lot (roughly 50 spaces) and heard closing comments from staff about the Downtown Marketplace event on June 13.
Roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript show 'yes' votes from the attending commissioners for each approved resolution; the motion to table 7694 was likewise carried by roll call.
