What is the deal - Gary, IN (Indianapolis, South Bend: condos, violent crime)

[EnjoyEP]

OK, this is not a sarcastic post or even a negative-intentioned post.

I have some ties to the University of Notre Dame and I get to a game in South Bend once per year. I live in the Milwaukee, WI area, and thus to get to the game, drive through Chicago, then hang through Gary, before getting to South Bend.

Of course, Gary looks fantastically blighted from the interstate. Certainly, I know the terrible national reputation of Gary and understand that most people really act like it couldn't get much worse than Gary. The only city that I hear a similar negative reputation to Detroit, MI's woeful national rep is that of Gary.

However, frankly I do not know that much about Gary admittedly. It would seem to me that it has a fairly good geographic location (very close to Chicago and Indianapolis, right on Lake Michigan, etc.).

Thus...I would like to know of people's opinions on what the deal is with Gary. Is it really as horrid as the reputation is? If it is, why is it so bad? What happened in its history to give it such a downturn?? Is there any promise or hope for a turnaround? Is there anything positive residentially or economically going on in Gary currently? If not, why not?

I would be very interested to hear folks' thoughts and perspectives (and by that, I don't mean mindless stuff such as "Gary is h*ll" or "Gary s*cks" - I mean actual thoughts and insight).

[goldpolkadots]

It is a disappointment that Gary has gone bad. Like you said, it is a nice location, by big cities and such. I think the main reason it has gone downhill is because factories took over, polluting the most of Gary. When lots of these factories shut down, so did the town. Those factories are what families depended on money wise. Either people moved out to find new jobs or they have struggled through the shut down of Gary. Now, I haven't been through Gary in a couple of years, so I'm not familiar with any new attractions that have been built, but I don't think that Gary will have a turnaround. Some parts have been infested with heavy drug problems and violent crime. I also heard on the news, something about how all city transportation (buses, etc.) has been cut off because of costs.

[je,0701]

The steel industry in Gary is what made Gary, good or bad. On a positive note, I heard a report a while back that crime in Gary is down, and has been surpassed by South Bend/Michianna. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this. I guess the criminals and drug dealers are working Chicago and S.Bend, and there isn't any money left in Gary.
I would love to see Gary rejuvenated. Isn't that how it usually works, for an old industrial district in a city. Everything moves out and the artists and bohemians move in. The property values begin to rise and people begin renovating and and then the yuppies move in and then there's million dollar condos on every corner. The location is awesome, Gary could be to

[EnjoyEP]

Is there anything positive whatsoever going on in Gary currently?

What is the political climate like? What are the main drivers of the economy?

[WildWestDude]

In the late 60's white political mayoral power was split and a black Mayor called Thatcher came into office. Bus loads of blacks moved in from many areas especially the deep south. Instability created massive white flight and the almost instant creation of Merriville. Many houses and businesses were burned. Gary became extremely ghetto and over the years polluted
People left, did not invest and never looked back.
Some say its "the white man's fault", others "the blacks ruined it". I won't take a position but I am only stating facts. There is no doubt however that it was a race kind of thing. It was a complex and sad racial-socio-economic situation which ruined not only Gary but other parts of America like Detroit.

Today, I would not live in Gary. It is just not safe. Downtown parts have more empty lots that once housed great buildings, than actual habitated buildings. Some urban decay has spread into the northern parts of Merrriville.
Some steel mills are still open and the boat casinos have left some money in the local economy which is still so thirsty for money. Yes, it might get better only if some black enterperneurs invest in the city from Chicago. Gary's most famous one time residents the Jacksons, have surely turned their back on Gary and their fellow brothers.
I don't see whites ever moving back in.
Gary has been called the armpit of the US, no anti-perspirant can take care of it.

[domergurl]

Mayor Hatcher ... mayor Richard Hatcher.

[Capt. 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!

[WildWestDude]

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!

Since when did Valpo turn bad

[domergurl]

Yea! When did Valpo turn bad???

[j33]

Valpo? Bad? You've got to be kidding me.