Mayor Eddie Melton speaking to residents during his 2025 State of the City Address at Embassies of Christ on Tuesday, April 29. (Photo by Ted Brown)
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton delivered his 2025 State of the City address at Embassies of Christ on Tuesday, April 29, highlighting gains in fiscal responsibility, public safety, and economic development, while also outlining ambitious plans for the city‘s future.
The address, attended by city officials, community leaders, and residents, emphasized the Melton administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life for every citizen through transparent, efficient, and fiscally responsible leadership.
Economic Development:
Growth and Investment
Melton highlighted Gary‘s recent growth trends, noting eight consecutive cycles of growth in occupied/active households since December 2022 and an increase of 527 residents in 2023. The city issued 4,366 permits in 2024, generating over $1.27 million in revenue. A Contractor Reciprocity Program was launched in September 2024, and 19 new contractors have received Gary licenses through the program.
The city is partnering with Notre Dame on a Downtown Masterplan, expected to be completed by May 2025. Updates on Senate Enrolled Act Bill 434, the “Gary Economic Revitalization” Bill, were provided, including $12 million for Downtown Blight Elimination (with a $3 million matching donation from Hard Rock Casino) and $90 million for a new Multi-modal Station Downtown. Demolition contracts are in place for Downtown Gary Blight Elimination, with Phase 1 underway.
A major announcement was made regarding FedEx coming to Gary. The developer SP/TP Gary Development LLC purchased the property for $4.7 million and is investing over $60 million to build a 317,000 sq ft warehousing/distribution facility. Hiring goals include 20% of 600 full and part-time job opportunities for Gary residents, and 20% MBE & 5% WBE participation goals. The facility is expected to be operational in April 2027.
Updates were also provided on the sale of US Steel, with Mayor Melton emphasizing the fight for Gary and Northwest Indiana’s jobs. Alliance Steel is undergoing a $22 million capital improvement expansion, adding 60 new jobs.
Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA) is experiencing growth, with approximately 15 international arrivals per month in 2024 and 649 total arrivals in 2024. GCIA is also receiving significant capital upgrades.
The city is promoting Gary as “Film Friendly” and has a new film permit application process.
Fiscal Stabilization: Ending
Long-Term Debt and Saving Money
A key focus of Melton‘s address was on the city‘s progress in stabilizing its finances. Melton announced that the city has paid off $2 million in loans for police cars from 2021 and $16 million in GSD debt from 2005 and 2006. He further stated that over $10 million in interfund loans will be paid off.
Melton also highlighted the city‘s efforts to be fiscally responsible, noting $2.3 million saved in 2024, representing 3.7% of the $64.76 million General Fund. Department heads were commended for their conservative spending. The city also saw a 17% increase in property tax revenue from 2023 to 2024.
Public Safety: Reducing Crime, Investing in Police and Fire
Mayor Melton reported positive trends in public safety. Homicide numbers decreased by 23%, from 52 in 2023 to 40 in 2024, and non-fatal shootings were reduced by 10% (134 vs. 147 in 2023). The homicide closure rate was 77%, exceeding the national average of 57.8%.
The Gary Police Department has hired 16 new recruits in 2024, with 50 new applicants completing testing and 40 potential new hires expected in 2025. The city is also investing in police department upgrades, including $3 million for basement renovations, $400,000 for mobile License Plate Reader cameras (funded by Congressman Frank Mrvan), and $264,000 for equipment and new signage (funded by Lake County Commissioner Kyle Allen). Demolition of the old St. Mercy Hospital attached to the Public Safety Facility is planned for 2025, with a cost of $262,000.
The Gary Fire Department also received attention, with a reported 33% decrease in fire-related deaths from 2023 and zero drownings after reinstating the beach patrol. Fire department inspections increased by 54% from 2023. The department saw a 350% increase in recruitment applicants, 15 fire academy graduates in 2024, and 18 civil service promotions. Community outreach events increased by 28.57%, with 54 events held.
Fire department upgrades include a new Pierce Pumper Fire Truck (over $1 million, from BP Consent Decree), $700,000 for upgrades to three fire stations, $1.8 million for 131 new radios, and $500,000 for new gas meters, saws, fans, hose, bunker gear, boots, and gloves through the Community Development Fund. The department also acquired two new Ford F-350s and two new plow trucks with salt spreaders.
Addressing Other
Community Needs
Melton addressed the city’s efforts to combat illegal dumping, reporting $2.5 million in fines collected, 1,484 violation tickets issued, and 150 stop work orders in 2024. There were 25 arrests for illegal dumping in 2024 and 11 arrests YTD in 2025. Code Enforcement staffing has doubled from 6 in 2023 to 12 in 2024.
The city is partnering with Silver Stray to improve animal control, focusing on spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccinations, and adoption/placement services.
The Office of Violence Prevention is working to build a safer community through life skills training, conflict resolution, supporting at-risk individuals, and partnering with local organizations. The city also has a Safe Summers Program for youth and young adults.
Investing in People: Youth, Seniors, and Housing
Mayor Melton emphasized initiatives focused on the people of Gary. A Youth Summer Jobs program, in partnership with the Center of Workforce Innovations and Goodwill Industries, provides high school seniors with paid summer work experience ($15/hour, 25 hours a week for 8 weeks) and mentorship.
An Age Friendly Initiative is working to build a more livable community for residents 50 and over, with an Age Friendly Advisory Council established in partnership with AARP. The city is also working with the YWCA to open a new shelter for women and children in need, addressing a gap in services since the previous shelter closed 5 years ago. $500,000 has been appropriated for renovations to the Brother’s Keeper Men‘s Shelter.
Housing initiatives include the Emerson Veterans Community Housing project, which will provide 20 new single-family homes for veterans (breaking ground Q2 2026), and the Oak Knoll Renaissance project, with $20 million in renovations and quality of life enhancements planned (breaking ground Q3 2025).
Quality of Life Initiatives
Quality of Life improvements include NWI Thrive Gary Discovery Hubs, Marquette Greenway Expansion, and Ivanhoe South Enhancement. Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) was highlighted for its community impact. The Solarize Gary program aims to empower homeowners with accessible solar energy options. The Tolleston Opportunity Hub is a $35 million investment in the Tolleston neighborhood, scheduled to open in 2026.
Operational Improvements
The city is investing $3.4 million in streetlight repairs and $2 million in traffic light repair/replacement. Aetna Stabilization/Blight Removal efforts are ongoing, with 35 blighted structures demolished in 2024 and plans for more in 2025. Rieth Riley Construction is leading a volunteer effort, with plans to demolish 100 homes in 10 days in 2026.
A PASER study of sidewalks and roads is underway, with approximately $140 million needed to address roadways and $25 million for sidewalks. $2.5 million was invested in street repair in 2024, and $8.2 million will be invested in 2025. The city has completed a Safe Streets and Roads 4 All Action Plan.
The city is working to address graffiti, with a new ordinance planned and a graffiti task force being launched.
Gary 311 continues to prioritize and address incoming service requests.
The city also responded to a tornado event on March 19, 2025, with disaster relief assistance provided.
Mayor Melton concluded his address by reiterating his vision for “Uniting to make Gary the safest, cleanest and most resilient city in the region, while enhancing the quality of life for residents, and growing economic opportunity for all.”