Mary Brown, a longtime Gary councilwoman whose decades spent in public office made her one of the most enduring political figures in city history, has died. Brown represented Gary’s 3rd District on the Common Council and chaired the powerful Finance Committee, which put her at the center of financial decisions for the past 2½ decades. She […]
Gary Common Council
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Gary Faces a $9.8 Million Gap in Its 2027 Budget Plan
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton is trying to find ways to close a $9.8 million gap in the 2027 budget that he has proposed for the city. But one of the approaches he is considering — tax increment financing — raises concerns for Kenneth Whisenton, the chair of the committee that reviews money matters before the […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
Your Guide to Gary’s Public Meetings This October
Gary’s officials are holding eight public meetings this month that residents should know about, attend in person or watch online. Every month Capital B attends three meetings in person: Gary Common Council, Board of Public Works and Safety, and Gary Redevelopment Commission. We hope to see you there. Email us if you are coming. We’d […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy
August 2026 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
A busy month lies ahead for Gary officials as demolition begins at Broadway Manor, budget season gets underway and several major projects continue to move through the city’s boards and city council. The Gary Housing Authority confirmed this week that demolition is moving forward on the Broadway Manor public housing complex, on the 1200 block […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Health, Politics & Policy
Gary Common Council Backs Medicare for All, Presses Nippon for Cleaner Air
The Gary Common Council unanimously approved two resolutions Tuesday night backing Medicare for All and urging U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel to invest in cleaner steelmaking technology at Gary Works. The measures are symbolic and carry no legal force. Together, however, they add Gary’s voice to national debates over expanding healthcare coverage and modernizing one […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, Public Meetings
Gary Invests $1.4 Million in Homeless Shelter as Sleeping Outside Carries New Penalties
Gary is putting roughly $1.4 million toward a new homeless shelter at a moment when the availability of a bed could mean the difference between a place to sleep and a criminal charge. The City Council approved the money for Brothers’ Keeper as a new Indiana law raises the stakes for people sleeping outside. They […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, Public Meetings
June 2026 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
Many of the decisions regarding infrastructure, housing, and development projects will be finalized in the coming months. The Gary Redevelopment Commission is laying the groundwork for the pending demolition of the Genesis Center by approving the purchase of storage containers that will be used to salvage usable materials, including wood, flooring, and staging equipment. Progress […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, Redevelopment
Gary Takes Next Step on $100 Million Lake County Convention Center
Gary officials moved a long-discussed Lake County Convention Center closer to reality, approving a key step that allows the city to begin negotiating costs for the project planned next to the Hard Rock Casino. At its March 24 meeting, the Gary Common Council approved a resolution allowing the city to begin working with a selected […]
Posted inLocal Government, Politics & Policy, Public Meetings
April 2026 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary
The Gary Redevelopment Commission moved forward on a mix of neighborhood and downtown initiatives, including a measure to expand the city’s sidelot program and taking steps tied to the future of the Genesis Center. The sidelot program allows homeowners to acquire adjacent vacant lots for maintenance or expansion, part of an ongoing effort to stabilize […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Politics & Policy, Utilities
Gary Residents Question Whether Data Centers Are Worth the Cost
Gary officials and residents are grappling with whether the city should welcome data centers amid concerns about environmental impacts, tax incentives, and strain on local infrastructure. During a public forum hosted by Common Council member Darren Washington, community members, environmental advocates, and residents discussed the potential benefits and liabilities of data center development in Gary. […]
