February’s public meetings in Gary will center on decisions with direct implications for residents, including proposed sewer rate hikes, a sweeping zoning rewrite, and expanded redevelopment activity across the city.
As those issues move forward, the Gary Common Council begins the year under new leadership. 5th District Councilwoman Linda Barnes-Caldwell now serves as council president, becoming the third consecutive woman to lead the city’s legislative body. At-large council member Darren Washington serves as vice president.
The city’s Redevelopment Commission will now meet twice per month in anticipation of increased development activity. The increased pace follows a busy start to the year, with the commission recently approving a $112,000 contract for a study on preserving the City Methodist Church.
The city is also laying the groundwork for development through its Planning Department. The city is undertaking a citywide rezoning effort to create a land-use map tailored to Gary’s needs.
The zones are:
- Destination (civic focus: parks, schools, institutions).
- Residential (housing districts).
- Business/Commercial (commerce and retail).
- Manufacturing (industrial zones).
- Mixed Use (downtown commercial/residential & neighborhood upper-residential/lower/business).
- Declared Flood Plains (NOAA/EPA overlays).
- Transportation (railroads and roadways/Interstate 90).
During its Jan. 14 meeting, the Planning Commission elected new officers: Tom Sarah as president, Adam Hall as vice president, and William Allen as secretary.
Gary Common Council
Dates: Tuesday, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17
Location: Gary Public Library
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1315
Biweekly on the first and third Tuesdays
Parks and Recreation
Dates: Tuesday, Feb. 10 and Feb. 24
Location: Hudson-Campbell Sports and Fitness Center, 455 Massachusetts St.
Time: 10 a.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-7099 ext. 36900
Second and fourth Tuesdays
Board of Public Works and Safety
Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 4; Feb. 11; Feb. 18; Feb. 25
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway, Cleo Wesson Lounge (2nd floor)
Time: 2 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1310
Weekly on Wednesdays
Board of Zoning Appeals
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1300
Monthly on the second Thursday
Gary Redevelopment Commission
Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 11; Wednesday, Feb. 25
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 4 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
Second and fourth Wednesdays
Gary Plan Commission
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
(Monthly – third Thursday)
Gary Housing Authority
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Location: Gary Housing Authority Central Office, 2nd floor, 578 Broadway
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-6400
(Monthly – third Thursday
Gary Sanitary District / Stormwater Management Meeting
Date: Friday, Feb. 6, Feb. 20
Location: 3600 W. Third Ave.
Time: Noon
Contact: (219) 944-0595, ext. 1816
(Monthly first– third Friday)