The Gary Redevelopment Commission gave its approval April 18 to a formal partnership with the city’s Housing Authority, as the two entities will trade off assorted properties that would better fit within the other entity’s overall mission for the good of Gary.
The commission voted 3-0, with Vice President Eric Reaves and member Marion Johnson absent.
Redevelopment Executive Director Joseph Van Dyk said the two entities have been working closely for the past two years to figure out how they can combine their resources to benefit future development and construction that would enhance Gary.
Redevelopment officials will gain jurisdiction over the one-time Ivanhoe Gardens public housing complex along 11th Avenue near Chase Street, along with the Colonial I and II developments in the city’s University Park neighborhood around the Indiana University Northwest campus.
While the housing authority will gain control over assorted plots of land in downtown Gary along the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of Broadway, which would have proximity to the Genesis Towers senior citizen building that used to be the Hotel Gary.
Redevelopment commissioners were pleased to say the agreement was moving forward.
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“I’m very pleased to see that we finally have a concrete agreement with the Gary Housing Authority,” commissioner Bill Joiner said.
Commission President Kenya Jones said of the deal, “it has been a work in progress for some time.”
In other business, the Redevelopment Commission voted to approve a resolution that accepts transfer of property in the 4700 and 4800 blocks of West 26th Avenue to the city from a private owner. Redevelopment attorney Gilbert King Jr., said the transfer is contingent on the demolition within the next 30 days of a structure that currently stands on the properties.
The commission also awarded a contract to C. Lee Construction Services Inc.; paying them $7,300 to demolish a structure in the 6200 block of Melton Road.
Gregory Tejeda is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.