Gary’s Common Council dealt primarily with zoning issues during its meeting in July. As a result, two new auto dealerships have been greenlighted for Fifth Avenue on the city’s West Side.
Starting today, the council will address short-term rentals in the Miller neighborhood as it issues a final vote today on the rezoning of a property on Union Street.
The council will also tackle budgetary issues
The Gary Parks Department held an emergency meeting to approve asphalt paving contracts for the city’s Jewel Parks. The paving work will include parking lots, basketball and tennis courts The contracts were awarded to Rieth-Riley Construction in the following amounts per park.
- Brunswick Park: $91,110
- Glenn Ryan Park: $44,280
- Roosevelt Park: $200,180
- Ironwood Park: $157,120
- Howe Park: $61,755
- Tolleston Park: $285,605
As part of its monthly actions, the Redevelopment Commission approved Resolution 7588, ratifying a $17,500 Community Challenge Grant agreement with AARP. The funding will support safety and mobility upgrades in the Glen Park neighborhood near the Indiana University Northwest campus. The project includes new speed tables, designed to curb speeding; solar-powered crosswalk lighting on Jefferson Street near the Glen Park Senior High Rise, located in the 3200 block of Pierce Street; and a bike trail connecting Gleason Golf Course to the Little Calumet River Levee Trail. The improvements aim to enhance walkability and quality of life for seniors and families in the area.
The commission also approved the replacement of the two-sided LED marquee sign at the Gary SouthShore RailCats’ baseball stadium. The Pulse Technology bid was recommended for $230,000, along with a 10-year extended service warranty for $28,000, totaling $258,000.
But all eyes will be on this month’s Gary Community School Corporation school board meeting after Gary Teachers Union President GlenEva Dunham implored a standing-room only crowd of community members to show up in opposition to recent board decisions, including the dismissal of emergency contract teachers and the hiring of Proximity virtual teaching.
Here’s a look at some key government meetings scheduled this month:
Meeting Calendar
Gary Common Council
Date: Monday, Aug. 4 (Rescheduled for National Day Out); Tuesday, Aug. 19
Location: Gary Public Library
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1315
* Biweekly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month
* Broadcast on Facebook Live
6th District Community Meeting
Date: Thursday, Aug. 6
Location: Indiana University Northwest Savannah Center in Bergland Auditorium
Time: 6 p.m.
Parks and Recreation
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 12 and 26
Location: Hudson-Campbell, 455 Massachusetts St.
Time: 10 a.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-7099 ext. 36900
* Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month
Board of Public Works and Safety
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 13, 20, and 27
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway, in the Cleo Wesson Lounge on the second floor
Time: 2 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1310
* Weekly on Wednesday
*Residents can join live on Facebook or on Zoom
Board of Zoning Appeals
Date: Thursday, Aug. 14
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1300
* Monthly on Thursday of the second week
*Broadcast on Facebook Live
GCSC School Board Meeting
Date: Thursday, Aug. 14
Location: Gary Area Career Center, 1800 E. 35th Ave.
Time: 4:30 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-5466
*Broadcast on Facebook Live
Gary Redevelopment Commission
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 20
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 4 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
* Monthly on Wednesday of the third week
Gary Plan Commission
Date: Thursday, Aug. 21
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531 (Residents are encouraged to call before attending to ensure meeting isn’t canceled)
* Monthly on Thursday of the third week
Gary Housing Authority
Date: Thursday, Aug. 21
Location: Second floor of the Gary Housing Authority Central Office, 578 Broadway
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-6400
Lake County Council Regular Meeting
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 5
Location: 2293 N. Main St., Commissioners’ Court Room/Council Chamber, 3rd Floor, Building A
Time: 10 a.m.
Contact: (219) 755-3280
Gary Sanitation District/Gary Stormwater Management Meeting
Date: Friday, Aug. 15
Location: 3600 W. Third Ave.
Time: noon
Contact: (219) 944-0595, x1816
