Demolition season opens in Gary with 60 houses coming down

Within the next two weeks, a platoon of contractors will knock down 60 homes across Gary in its third demolition blitz.

The action began Monday as an excavator shovel plunged into a rundown, crumbling two-story house at 674 Harrison St.

This time, instead of one neighborhood, homes will come down across five neighborhoods – downtown, Emerson, Glen Park, Midtown and the west side.

“Welcome to a new Gary,” said Mayor Eddie Melton at Monday’s news conference launching the blitz.

Melton stood in front of green-vested construction workers in hard hats from eight Northwest Indiana companies and workers from the Lake County Highway Department.

They represent a volunteer coalition led by Jim Wiseman of Rieth-Riley Construction.

“This is a unique partnership and collaboration with so many partners throughout, not just Gary but throughout Northwest Indiana,” Melton said.

The mayor said there are about 7,000 abandoned structures in the city, so “we have to think in an intentional, strategic way.”

With state, federal and local money, Melton said the city has cobbled together about $20 million to address blight. The first demolition phase focused on homes in the Aetna neighborhood.

“This is not a one-time hit. This is going to be a continuous effort,” Melton said. “These abandoned properties have been a drain on our community.”

Melton said the decaying structures impact children walking to school, bring down property values and stand in the way of progress.

“And today, we’re clearing that out,” Melton said.

Because of all the red tape, including legal clearances, inspections and environmental abatements, Melton said it took about 10 months to schedule the demolition blitz.

Melton said blight is just one aspect of the city. He cited positive strides in increasing population for the first time in 50 years, economic investments over $4 billion, and decreased crime.

Wiseman has played a key role in recruiting companies to join the demolition effort.

“I believe everybody here shares in our vision about a better tomorrow, not just for our city or constituents, but more importantly, it’s about the children.”

Wiseman said there’s a responsibility to fix these problems and make a better tomorrow so children will stay in Gary after high school and college.

“We’re moving forward with our vision and we continue to chip away,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said government is about connecting with people, citing the partnerships Gary has with Gov. Mike Braun, Lake County and the federal government.

“No business wants to live or operate next to an abandoned building. We are answering the call of the residents of Northwest Indiana by coming together with a collaborative effort,” Mrvan said.
“Federal and state dollars do not fall from the sky. It needs leadership from Mayor Melton, the city council and it needs examples like this so that we can go back to an appropriations committee to say we have skin in the game and we will do what it takes to make a difference in our community.”

Mrvan recently secured $1.1 million in the federal budget for the demolition of Ivanhoe Elementary, 5700 W. 15th Ave. The school has been closed for 17 years.

Along with the Lake County Highway Department, participating contractors include: Rieth-Riley Construction, Hasse Construction, C. Lee Construction, Superior Construction, Biesen Construction, Macallister Equipment, R & D Construction, and Z-Force Transportation.