The city of Gary is using a new land use platform to change the mindset of developing in the city.
“We just hope to grow and find avenues in ways that we can help grow our population,” said Christopher Harris, executive director of redevelopment for the city. “We want more development in our neighborhoods that are visible to build more hope in Gary.”
The city launched GrowIN Gary, a land sale platform that connects residents, developers and investors with property development opportunities, according to a Gary news release.
GrowIN Gary provides property information and an interactive map for users. The city focus is on Downtown West/Holy Angels, Midtown-Froebel and Midtown-Jackson areas, Harris said.
The city is trying to build out from Broadway, where Harris thinks a lot of development is concentrated.
The pilot program is solely focused on residential properties, Harris said, and all parcels have been curated to match city zoning code.
“You’re not going to see a parcel that’s zoned business or mixed use,” he said. “We wanted a basis to start with, and we felt like residential and affordable and attainable housing is so in demand.”
Properties have a minimum starting price of $0.75 per square foot and are based on 10 professionally appraised land values. Harris said the city previously needed two appraisals for each property.
“It really just discouraged bidders from participating and also became a financial constraint for the city in our department,” he said.
GrowIN Gary was created from Senate Enrolled Act 232, authored by state Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary. The bill allows the city to hire an appraiser for 10 residential and 10 commercial properties.
Gary has about 7,000 properties that previously would’ve cost about $1,000 each to appraise. City officials previously said it would cost Gary about $7 million to appraise all 7,000 properties.
“Gary had properties available for redevelopment, but the appraisal was costly and slowed things down,” Spencer said. “With (SEA) 232, we gave the city a more efficient way to establish values for eligible properties, with safeguards to protect the overall public interest.”
Through the legislation, Gary must post and annually update the average value per square foot for residential properties and the average value per acre for commercial plots. The averages will be used to establish a minimum offering price, according to Post-Tribune archives.
“Gary is a city with tremendous potential, and we are continuing to create pathways for people who want to invest in our neighborhoods,” Mayor Eddie Melton said in a news release. “GrowIN Gary makes those opportunities easier to find while giving residents, developers and investors a clearer understanding of how they can be part of Gary’s growth.”
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Spencer worked with the city prior to the legislation’s passage, and they had follow-up conversations later. He said it’s been informative and productive so far.
“It’s my hometown,” Spencer said. “It’s where I’m from, and it’s an honor to be able to work collaboratively and productively in a small way to help move the city forward.”
Spencer said he appreciates the bipartisan support SEA 232 received through its passage in the general assembly.
“It’s humbling to learn and to realize how complicated a process it is to have a bill become law,” Spencer said, “and to have that come to fruition and do it for the citizens that are my neighbors, it’s a very rewarding experience.”
He hopes GrowIN Gary encourages people who call the city home to participate in its growth.
Gary is preparing for 2,000 new jobs between now and 2029, Harris said, as the city prepares for the construction and use of developments like the Lake County Convention Center and FedEx facility.
“We want to make sure that we can house those workers,” Harris said. “The demand is here, and we don’t want to lose out and miss the opportunity. … We want to take advantage of that momentum and continually grow and improve the city.”