Tyrone Jackson stood among the crowd of workers and residents at the old Colonial Gardens site, which is slated to become a new subdivision by next year.
“That’s actually the house that I was raised in right there,” he said, pointing to one of the still-standing structures on the property. “When the community went down, we lost a sense of community in this neighborhood. When they come back, I feel like it’ll bring life into the neighborhood again.”
Dozens of community members turned out for Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony on 49th Avenue, eager to see what’s ahead for the long-vacant property.
The property, including the few remaining houses like the one Jackson pointed to, is now owned by Lewis Construction Co., which is leading the redevelopment project.
In 2023, Leah Lewis and her family decided to bring her grandfather’s dream to fruition by purchasing the land where they grew up and turning it into affordable housing for Gary residents.
“We’re doing this for a big vision that my grandfather had, just trying to create community, connection, and a legacy,” Lewis said as she spoke to the crowd. “I know my brother will be happy.”
In partnership with Chicago-based Inherent L3C, the project will feature new 1,200-square-foot, modular, single-family homes with two to three bedrooms, as well as multifamily homes and some salvageable homes that will be rehabilitated.
Interested people can rent, buy, or rent-to-own with help from local banks and credit unions. Homes will start at $200,000, depending on amenities, and rentals start at $1,200. Some homes are expected to be complete in 2026.
“Our goal at the Lewis Estates and Townhomes is to make sure everything is affordable,” said Aniah Lewis, who is leading the development alongside her sister Leah as part of the family-owned Lewis Construction Co.
On Thursday, local leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking, among them Chuck Hughes, president of the Gary Chamber of Commerce; former Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson; Common Council member Dwight Williams; and Lake County Clerk Mike Brown.
“It’s so exciting to see this area redeveloped, given its proximity to the highway, the fact that there’s a vision to do a full development, and we know that people want affordable housing,” Freeman-Wilson said.
She added that developments like this are critical to growing Gary’s population and increasing the city’s tax base. “To improve the image of our city, it’s getting people to not only build homes, but build families.”
With the groundbreaking over, Lewis Construction plans to start Phase 1 of their project, which involves laying foundations for homes and additional dwellings, bringing in modular homes, and revamping existing homes. After this phase, the company will build additional amenities on the grounds, including a residential clubhouse, community room, pool, playground, exercise facility, convenience store, community garden, day care, amphitheater, and other development amenities.
Following the death of their brother, Ray Lewis, in August 2015, the Lewis sisters have been wanting to give back to the community as much as possible. Each home sale will help fund a scholarship for students in the Gary area as part of the Ray Lewis Foundation. In addition, they hope to help support families, the school system, and others.
“It’s very important for us to be able to pour back into the young people,” said Aaliyah Stewart, a close friend of the sisters, an anti-violence advocate, and founder of the ASW Foundation. An inspiration for the girls to start their foundation after she lost her brother to gun violence, they are hoping to bring change to different parts of the community.
For more information about the developing project, please visit Lewis Construction’s website.
