GARY | A plan for how to implement aspects of a plan for future development in three Gary neighborhoods could be ready within the next 30 days.
About three dozen people showed up Thursday evening for a presentation on a "Livable Center Plan 2025" for the downtown, Emerson and Horace Mann areas of the city. The plan presented several options for the city to consider, including development of the area around the Grand Calumet River, creation of a medical campus around the Methodist Hospital and creation of transit oriented development around the city's downtown area.
There was also discussion about getting truck traffic off 5th Avenue and making it more pedestrian friendly with sidewalks and bike paths. Truck traffic could possibly be redirected to 4th Avenue.
There were also some additional ideas put forth by audience members.
Russell Cundiff suggested the city should look at perhaps having some of the large parcels of vacant land in the city used for agricultural purposes. He said communities around Gary have acres and acres of farmland and perhaps a large agricultural company would be interested in using some of the city's vacant land for raising crops.
There was also some signs of the impatience seen at prior meetings when it came to bringing plans to fruition. Resident Norman Roby said he has seen big plans put forth by other administrations, some that included models taking up most of a conference room.
"Give the people something tangible," Roby said. "We need something now."
Taghi Arshami a principal with the Arsh Group of Merrillville said the plan was not something that would be put on the shelf. He said next step in the process is preparation of an implementation plan using input from residents,
Arshami indicated there is grant money available that can be used for some of the work. In particular, he mentioned that the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is helping with transit-oriented developments as are other local and federal groups.
Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus designation as a Level III, and possibly higher level, trauma center could also spur development of the area around the hospital as medical campus, he indicated.
The neighborhood study and planning was funded by a $150,000 grant from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. The city began developing the plan in January with the help of the Arsh Group.
Meetings were held with residents of the neighborhoods to get their input. The boundaries of the areas studied are: Downtown, from the toll road to 9th Avenue and Delaware to Madison streets; Emerson, from the toll road to 9th Avenue and Broadway to Interstate 65 and Horace Mann, from the toll road to 9th Avenue and Monroe to Chase streets.
Arlene Colvin, the director of the city's Department of Community Development, said the city would like to see the process replicated in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Arshami said as a result of input received from residents at Thursday night's meeting, some elements of the plan may be modified. The final draft plan will be presented to the city's Plan Commission for review sometime in late December or January.
A zoning element is included in the plan and potentially could be implemented within the year. Any zoning changes first will have to be adopted by the City Council before taking effect. If approved the plan will amend the city's current comprehensive plan, said Arshami.