Additional cameras are being installed at the Gary Genesis Center out of vandalism concerns stemming from recent incidents at the shuttered building at 5th Avenue and Broadway.
Redevelopment director Chris Harris called the additional monitoring “critical. We need additional support to reduce our liability and risk,” he told the redevelopment commission during Wednesday’s meeting as it approved a $9,000 contract for cameras.
Built in 1981 to usher in a new era of commerce by then-mayor Richard G. Hatcher, the Genesis Center had a 7,000-seat convention and sports arena and adjacent meeting rooms and banquet facilities.
It fell into mismanagement, infrastructure problems and infrequent bookings, closing in 2020. It once hosted concerts by Whitney Houston and Prince and held the Miss USA Pageant twice.
Since then, vandals have stolen piping and other equipment left behind.
In 2022, a deal fell through for Akyumen Industries to purchase the building after it failed to make payment on it. The city sued and took back the building.
Under Mayor Eddie Melton’s administration, the city’s zoning department sought requests for information for proposals from private developers to transform the center.
“We are committed to creating a vibrant and thriving downtown Gary,” said Melton in June. “Reactivating the Genesis Center is a cornerstone of that vision. This RFI is an open call to partners who see the potential in Gary and want to be part of its transformation.”
Aug. 8 was the deadline to submit proposals. Zoning director Corie Sharp couldn’t be reached for comment.
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The city hopes to determine a new course for the Genesis Center by the end of the year.
In other business, the commission approved a $10,000 contract with Cross Engineering to analyze the structural soundness of the former Sears building at 839 Broadway.
Harris said marble cladding has fallen onto the sidewalk in front of the former department store.
“We want to mitigate the risk and make the area safe,” Harris said.
The commission also voted to accept 792 Broadway from private donor PLS Check Cashiers. The building was vacated last year. Harris said there are multiple opportunities to develop the building and its taxes were paid up.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.