The Gary Common Council made one of its most controversial decisions of the year last month, as the body narrowly approved a zoning change for the former Beckman School from residential to planned unit development in a 5-4 vote.
Last month, the council interviewed candidates for appointments to the Redevelopment Commission, Transportation Board, School Board, Economic Development Commission, and the Police and Fire Civil Service commissions. They are expected to make those appointments this month.
Other pieces of legislation coming up in May include an ordinance to prohibit graffiti in the city endorsed by most councilpersons on second reading, and an ordinance regarding an update to the city budget for streets and roads.
The Board of Public Works and Safety will hold a special meeting on Friday, May 2, where discussion will revolve around issues tabled at the April 30 meeting, including a $90,000 funding agreement with Edgewater Health for specialized substance abuse prevention services, and contracts for lawn services and equipment.
Here’s a look at some important public meetings scheduled in Gary in May 2025:
Meeting Calendar
Gary Common Council
Date: Tuesday, May 6 and 20
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1315
* Biweekly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month
* Broadcast on Facebook Live
Parks and Recreation
Date: Tuesday, May 13 and 27
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, May 7, 14, 21 and 28
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
*Broadcast on Facebook Live:
Board of Zoning Appeals
Date: Thurs, May 8
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: Tuesday, May 6 (Policy Committee), Thursday, May 8
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, May 28
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, May 22
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, May 15
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, May 13
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, May 2 and May 16
Location: 3600 West Third Ave.
Time: Noon
Contact: (219) 944-0595, x1816
What meetings are you looking forward to this month? See anything missing that we should have highlighted? Email Capital B Gary’s Government and Politics Reporter Calvin Davis at calvin.davis@capitalbnews.org.