What is the deal - Gary, IN (Portage: homes, neighborhoods)

[claremarie]

You can't do anything with the steel mills. Can you imagine the superfund issues involved? Nobody would be able to build a darn thing on that land. So, sorry, those mills are staying put.

Not sure what the issues are in Gary, but I grew up in Pittsburgh, and all of the steel mills that once lined the rivers within the city limits are gone. Torn down, hauled away, and there are now office parks and other buildings on that land. It can be done.

[Then&Now]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

I grew up in the Glen Park section of Gary. Attended Lew Wallace High. Class of 74.I sadly watched Gary turn into the armpit of the world. The suburbs of Portage, Valpo etc. are slowly turning awful too. I'm half tempted to disinter my little brother so even he doesnt have to be in such a foul place!

What an odd thing to say. Portage is thriving and far from turning awful! I have lived in Portage for over 30 years and it's better than ever. Valpo is great too. We've defnitely become more diverse, but it has been positive and progressive.

[backtochitown]

Originally Posted by domergurl

It doesn't help either, that Lake County has long been consider the ugly stepchild of this state. Trust me, if Gary were located within spitting distance of Indianapolis, it would never have gotten so bad.

Maybe the 'ugly' stepchild but I'm pretty sure Lake County is the largest contributor to the Indiana state tax coffers...thereby funding a lot of programs in southern Indiana.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by backtochitown

Maybe the 'ugly' stepchild but I'm pretty sure Lake County is the largest contributor to the Indiana state tax coffers...thereby funding a lot of programs in southern Indiana.

Yes!!! You're totally right, but Lake County is still treated like the ugly stepchild of this state. Too many stinking democrats! That was a snarky comment in case you couldn't tell.

[jones-n]

Yes Gary is a mess and the steel mills are not going anywhere. To be honest it is going to take a lot more than just money to change peoples perception of Gary. However Gary has a lot going for it and many commercial realtors will tell you that there is money to be made. The airport will eventually start relieving air traffic in Chicago, it has easy access to the toll road and 80/94 and huge empty tracks of land 20 minutes from Chicago. As costs and traffic rise elsewhere, Gary is poised to remake itself.
There are some nice parts of Gary with Miller Beach being the best. What I don't understand is why those in charge don't rally around the one area that is doing so well, it is a diamond in the rough. Despite being located in Gary and being ignored by politicians, Miller Beach property values have soared and more and more Chicagoans are buying second homes. The year round residents on/or off the lake are hard working and committed to the area. The many beautiful homes built in the woods or sand dunes would be the envy of any neighborhood. But when abandoned buildings are allowed to fester for years, sidewalks and roads crumble and the area looks like no one cares, it sends a bad message. I have called several times wondering why certain building on route 12 or 20 have not been torn down and the alderman or city inspector says they are working on it, it has been 3 years of calling.
Gary officials need to rally around Miller Beach, clean up the eyesores, invest in the gorgeous parks and beaches and support the great businesses that are thriving. As Miller Beach gets bigger and better the surrounding areas will change, it is a snowball effect that has been proven many times. When people come to visit Miller Beach and they find out it is part of Gary, it changes how the feel and more importantly their perceptions.

[EnjoyEP]

That is an interesting point. If you do a realty search on properties in Gary, you'll actually see some gorgeous million dollar (plus) homes in Gary on the lakefront. It can't ALL be bad based upon that alone.

[backtochitown]

Originally Posted by domergurl

Yes!!! You're totally right, but Lake County is still treated like the ugly stepchild of this state. Too many stinking democrats! That was a snarky comment in case you couldn't tell.

My cop/fireman filled family was mostly Democratic until I graduated Purdue, started my own biz, started making serious money and retired at 41...they are mostly Republican now...

[Capt. Dan]

Alot of undesirables that left Gary to Portage are now finding there way toward Valpo. Crime ALWAYS follows $$. Doesnt it?

[Capt. Dan]

Democrats! You mean those voters who want to house the homeless, feed the hungry help get medical care for the uninsured, clean up toxic messes like Gary? SHAME ON THEM!!!

[domergurl]

Well, in Mitchworld, yes, shame on them!!!