Gary’s Steel City Academy Charter School suffered a storm setback on Aug. 11 when its soon-to-be new home lost a section of its roof during a widespread weather event that zapped power from more than 300,000 households, businesses, and schools.
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Several trees also fell on the school campus at the former Lincoln Achievement Center at 1988 Polk Street. It also briefly served as the home of the Gary district’s central administration
Steel City purchased the school along with the shuttered Duncan Elementary, 1109 West 21st Ave. in 2024 for $250,000.
Lead, asbestos and mold were removed from the school, officials said last year.
Executive school director Katie Kirley said Monday the school had secured permits and hoped to begin renovation at the Polk Street school next month and open in a year.
Now the school has to deal with an insurance claim.
“There was a tree that ultimately landed on the building, but the largest issue was a large portion of our gymnasium roof blew off,” said Kirley.
She’s meeting with an architect and general contractor on Friday for an update on both the timeline and the impact on the school’s budget. The school
has already advertised for subcontractor bids and hopes to break ground next month. Last year Steel City received a 15-year charter extension from the Indiana Charter School Board, the school’s authorizer.
Once the new school opens, Kirley said its current building at 2650 West 35th Ave. will be sold. Duncan Elementary will also be demolished.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post Tribune.