Gary redevelopment commission approves demolition contracts, accepts donated parcel and greenlights side‑lot transfers

The Gary Redevelopment Commission on June 24 authorized contractors to demolish 13 blighted, city‑owned structures in the Jackson Park and Midtown areas and approved several property transactions intended to support future redevelopment.

Director Harris presented Resolution 7711 proposing awards to three contractors for combined demolition and environmental abatement work. Ms. Sharp, who reviewed the bid tab, told commissioners the work would be paid from the commission's non‑reverting fund with the intent of using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds where appropriate. She recommended awards to Seeley ($242,800), FAM ($57,970) and Avatar ($32,400), saying bids lacking an environmental‑abatement team were ruled incomplete. "We believe that the awarding these bids are going to the best and most responsive bidders," Ms. Sharp said. Commissioners approved Resolution 7711 on a unanimous roll call; staff said legal contracts would be prepared starting the next day and work should begin in July after the holiday.

The commission next approved Resolution 7712 to accept a donated parcel, 246 Polk Street, as part of an assemblage strategy for redevelopment north of the South Shore Line. Director Harris said the parcel augments an existing assemblage on the block and will be managed as part of the commission's redevelopment zones. The resolution passed unanimously.

In a single motion the commission approved Resolution 7713 to convey four city parcels under the side‑lot (adjacent property) program to neighboring homeowners who petitioned at the meeting. Director Harris called each petitioner to the podium and asked them to explain their history of maintaining the lots and their plans. Petitioners said they had mowed and maintained the properties for years or plan modest improvements: Martha Calhoun Riley said she had been maintaining the lot adjacent to her home for 19 years and described the parcel as "part of the property" she uses for family activities; another petitioner at 546 Jackson Street said he has mowed and cared for the lot for three years and plans to build a driveway and a garage to alleviate on‑street parking and to accommodate the city's new curbside trash placement policy. Sevelia Aguilera said she and her family had cleaned the lot next to 1109 East 8th Avenue for five years to keep it free of dumped material. Two petitioners were absent (521 Jackson Street and 2673 Monroe Street) and will be added to the next meeting agenda. Commissioners approved the side‑lot transfers as presented.

The commissions' votes on the three redevelopment resolutions were recorded by roll call and were unanimous in favor. Following the approvals, Director Harris said staff would prepare contracts and next steps for implementation, including environmental abatement as required by the bid specifications.

What happens next: contracts for the demolition work will be executed and work scheduled to start in July; the accepted parcel at 246 Polk Street will be held for assemblage work and the approved side lots will be conveyed to petitioning homeowners once city conveyance procedures are completed.