In his first State of the City address, delivered shortly after taking office, Mayor Eddie Melton laid out a vision for Gary’s future. A year later, he highlighted major development wins, including a $60 million FedEx distribution center, as the city competed for the Lake County Convention Center.
On Tuesday, in his third address, Melton turned to what he called the city’s “next chapter,” shifting his focus to housing and blight elimination, including a decision to demolish the long-closed Genesis Convention Center to make way for redevelopment.
With Gary selected as the site for the Lake County Convention Center and construction underway on the $60 million FedEx distribution center, the mayor’s message focused on whether that momentum can reach neighborhoods still grappling with vacancy and blight. He said housing and blight elimination are the next steps in capitalizing and increasing that growth.
“The legacy of that, in terms of the vacancies of blight and the band of structures and things of that nature, is what we’re trying to tackle now,” Melton said.
Melton pointed to a new state law that will reduce appraisal costs and make it easier for the city to sell vacant lots. More than 7,000 parcels are involved.
“The primary reason why I’m saying this is we’re trying to encourage infill housing,” Melton said. “If you drive down certain neighborhoods, you see two or three homes and four or five lots, then two or three homes, another vacant lot. We’re trying to help expedite development and make it easier.”
A central piece of that strategy is Melton’s decision to demolish the long-closed Genesis Convention Center.
In his address, the mayor said that a detailed assessment found it would cost at least $10 million to make the building functional, covering basic systems such as plumbing, wiring, and mechanical work — not cosmetic or structural upgrades.
While acknowledging the site’s history, including its ties to former Mayor Richard Hatcher, Melton said the city does not have the capacity to restore and sustain the 50-year-old facility.
He said the decision, though difficult, was necessary to protect public safety and position the site for redevelopment. A request for proposal for demolition of the convention center and its parking garage is expected within days, following a separate round of proposals that raised concerns about developers’ ability to finance and maintain a full rehabilitation without burdening the city.
“I made this decision, let me be clear about that,” Melton said of the decision. “I own it, no other entity, no other person. I made the decision, but that site we’re going to make ready for the future.”
The city’s redevelopment commission recently heard six offers to redevelop the property.
Though the building carries historic and nostalgic weight, some residents are excited for the new.
“Tear it all down. “It’s time for some new beginnings,” said lifelong Gary resident RJ Exom.
Camisha Bell, a city redevelopment department official who has built a following on TikTok spotlighting Gary’s strengths, said she appreciates the change in the city.
“Seeing the city’s image change over the last three years has been truly remarkable,” she said. “As someone who grew up in Gary, it’s been especially meaningful to witness the shift in real time.”
Gary resident Greg Jones also voiced optimism about the city’s path forward.
“I think we are heading in the right direction. In Mayor Melton’s short tenure he’s done a lot,” Jones said. “I’m excited to see the future of Gary.
“I think the main thing he’s been able to do is bring pride back to the citizens of Gary, Indiana,” Jones said. “It’s been a while since we can say that. Gary used to be the crown jewel of Indiana and one of the most prominent cities in the country. I believe we are working our way back to that.”
Other highlights from the address included a nearly $1 million increase in fines for illegal dumping from 2024 to 2025, plans for a driving range at Gleason Park, and continued work on downtown development plans with the University of Notre Dame. Additional demolitions, including the historic Christ United Methodist Church, are also planned.
Justin Ward, also of Gary, spoke to the changes he’s been able to see and feel.
“If you’re from Gary or live here like me, you actually see it happening because it is,” Ward said.
