Gary Chicago International Airport is getting commercial air service!!

[msamhunter]

If done right, it would help as a huge part of any areas economy comes from its airport. Hartsfield accounts for over 1 billion dollars for Atlanta's economy and no GYY isn't Hartsfield or Midway for that matter but if done successfully, it will not be the city's savior but could add very well to the local economy which is something it's never actually done. Social issues holds the city back and until that is addressed or at least brought under some sort of control, don't expect much from the local community of Lake and Porter counties. Investment would have to come from outside of NWI because NWI itself isn't.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by msamhunter

If done right, it would help as a huge part of any areas economy comes from its airport. Hartsfield accounts for over 1 billion dollars for Atlanta's economy and no GYY isn't Hartsfield or Midway for that matter but if done successfully, it will not be the city's savior but could add very well to the local economy which is something it's never actually done. Social issues holds the city back and until that is addressed or at least brought under some sort of control, don't expect much from the local community of Lake and Porter counties. Investment would have to come from outside of NWI because NWI itself isn't.

Good points and Lake county , IN really would not benefit from the lucritive landing and take off fees.
Gate fees etc..

These contracts are held tightly by the municipalities around ohare and the city of chicago.

I think the reason you wiil not see much interest from the state of indiana and the city of gary is they would recieve a very small portion of these agreements.

what they gain would be a very small percetage.

Take the south suburban proposal and how elk grove and bensenville is the winner in that deal same applies to the proposed airport in Gary.

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

Good points and Lake county , IN really would not benefit from the lucritive landing and take off fees.
Gate fees etc..

These contracts are held tightly by the municipalities around ohare and the city of chicago.

I think the reason you wiil not see much interest from the state of indiana and the city of gary is they would recieve a very small portion of these agreements.

what they gain would be a very small percetage.

Take the south suburban proposal and how elk grove and bensenville is the winner in that deal same applies to the proposed airport in Gary.

Bingo! For the state to even act like they care, Gary would have to become part of the Indianapolis Airport Authority and dump Chicago which means fees they receive from the Illinois side would no longer be received. I don't think that would be received well in NWI having to be subservient to the capital city like that. Chicago, well it's Chicago and there's a lot of people not too thrilled with that but the way Indianapolis just deals with LC, tends to leave a sour taste at times.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Seems to me alot of people have this misconception like "build it and the will come"

It's just not that simple even the Peotone airport would be controlled by other villages not even in the south suburban foot print with communities nearby having no say so in any matter pertaining to the airport.

[suburban_boy]

Originally Posted by msamhunter

Yes, been news for a bit. All of the airlines for the most part went out of business. Illinois residents really had no need to use GYY since they've always gone to vacation destinations such as Vegas, Orlando, etc. If there was a carrier(s) actually willing to take on more business destinations and properly advertised, it could draw south suburban commuters due to proximity, convenience and price. Again though, it is in an industrial area so once you get there, you're stuck in the event of weather with no options for food outside a vending machine. They would have to develop the land but a huge swath of land over there is protected wetlands and the industrial areas would more than likely have to be cleaned up.

Yeah, its an heavily industrial area now. Yes there are protected wetlands, but it still appears to be a lot of empty space that can be used for mix-use developments. For example, US Steel has agreed to consolidate their lake front property, in which the city will reclaim a huge swath of lakefront property. And we all know how expensive lake-front property can be in this area-even in Gary. Also, the area between Cline and Colfax, which is currently zoned as industrial, is a pretty empty stretch of land and can be rezone for more mix-use development. This would not only create more room for more mix-use development, but more room for expansion.

[Anothervision]

Allow me to be the bearer of bad news/reality.

Two words, Urban Renewal! Unfortunately the city of Gary suffers from what most cities that have had severe downturn suffer from which is a lack of vision among other things. What is needed is in itself, severe. Urban renewal is a tool that has been utilized by metropolitan areas for generations and to great success but as with anything, with great success comes even greater risks and sacrifices. Gary is a goldmine. With major rail, shipping ports, four different interstates along with major thoroughfares and an airport Gary is the type of place that is appealing to industries as well as potential residents. I was a witness to the urban renewal process in Nashville, TN where a swath of the downtown area was reclaimed through urban renewal and brought to a standard where the more privileged would consider the area. That brought revenue. In return, Nashville looks more appealing to visitors and tourist thus, contributing to the income of the area. I was born and raised in Gary and it pains me to see the shape that it is in but, to me, it is more of an indication that drastic changes are needed. Urban renewal will bring the fresh start that Gary needs and the reputation that it deserves. With a proper advertising campaign via radio, internet and television touting Gary as the “New Alternative to the Suburbs” for Chicago professionals, people will look at Gary as such. Offer remodeled condos and boutiques that professionals would like. Offer incentives to new businesses such as Target and Starbucks that would make Gary an appealing alternative to places like Merrillville. Use that money to reclaim even more land while reinvesting back into infrastructure so that it will all become self sustaining, which in return will attract more businesses. Business likes stability and opportunity for growth. Hire a couple of go-getting advertising majors straight out of college to promote this city the same way you would promote a new chic restaurant. There’s a ton of great ideas out there but with the core attitude in Gary right now I would compare it to a gangrene infection; it’s rotten and now you have to remove the parts that are infected so that you can promote healing. It is a harsh truth but at the same time, it’s absolute. Don’t continue to bandaid that infection.

[richb]

Originally Posted by Anothervision

Allow me to be the bearer of bad news/reality.

Two words, Urban Renewal! Unfortunately the city of Gary suffers from what most cities that have had severe downturn suffer from which is a lack of vision among other things. What is needed is in itself, severe. Urban renewal is a tool that has been utilized by metropolitan areas for generations and to great success but as with anything, with great success comes even greater risks and sacrifices. Gary is a goldmine. With major rail, shipping ports, four different interstates along with major thoroughfares and an airport Gary is the type of place that is appealing to industries as well as potential residents. I was a witness to the urban renewal process in Nashville, TN where a swath of the downtown area was reclaimed through urban renewal and brought to a standard where the more privileged would consider the area. That brought revenue. In return, Nashville looks more appealing to visitors and tourist thus, contributing to the income of the area. I was born and raised in Gary and it pains me to see the shape that it is in but, to me, it is more of an indication that drastic changes are needed. Urban renewal will bring the fresh start that Gary needs and the reputation that it deserves. With a proper advertising campaign via radio, internet and television touting Gary as the “New Alternative to the Suburbs” for Chicago professionals, people will look at Gary as such. Offer remodeled condos and boutiques that professionals would like. Offer incentives to new businesses such as Target and Starbucks that would make Gary an appealing alternative to places like Merrillville. Use that money to reclaim even more land while reinvesting back into infrastructure so that it will all become self sustaining, which in return will attract more businesses. Business likes stability and opportunity for growth. Hire a couple of go-getting advertising majors straight out of college to promote this city the same way you would promote a new chic restaurant. There’s a ton of great ideas out there but with the core attitude in Gary right now I would compare it to a gangrene infection; it’s rotten and now you have to remove the parts that are infected so that you can promote healing. It is a harsh truth but at the same time, it’s absolute. Don’t continue to bandaid that infection.

Advertising is going to do nothing about the current political realities of the city of Gary. The current politicians are too invested in the way the city is now, they truly don't want change.

Until the voters of Gary change the "leadership" at city hall, little is going to change in the city.

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by richb

Advertising is going to do nothing about the current political realities of the city of Gary. The current politicians are too invested in the way the city is now, they truly don't want change.

Until the voters of Gary change the "leadership" at city hall, little is going to change in the city.

Well there was somewhat of change at city hall. Give her more than a month at least. Where the change didn't come was the common council which should literally be gutted from top to bottom.

Advertising will do nothing right now for the city, local buy in just isn't there. The burbs of LC would have to change their mindset towards the city and the city has to change its mindset towards itself and neither will be an easy task, esp. the latter, all of this despite the potential that lies within the city.

[richb]

Originally Posted by msamhunter

Well there was somewhat of change at city hall. Give her more than a month at least. Where the change didn't come was the common council which should literally be gutted from top to bottom.

Advertising will do nothing right now for the city, local buy in just isn't there. The burbs of LC would have to change their mindset towards the city and the city has to change its mindset towards itself and neither will be an easy task, esp. the latter, all of this despite the potential that lies within the city.

Karen Freeman-Wilson is a card carrying member of the status quo. She is the former Indiana attorney general (under the late, former Gov. O'Bannon), best known for being largely incompetent at that job. Nothing and I mean nothing has changed at city hall. I have very low expectations of her administration.

Replacing one Democrat party machine member with another isn't going to bring any changes to how Gary runs and how it is seen. The one party system needs to be broken in Gary, and there seems to be nothing in the works to do so. So Gary will continue to just get by like it has for the last forty years.

By the way, I don't hate Gary. I wish it could right itself, and that's the only way that will happen. Outsiders and their money cannot fix it, the citizens of Gary have to be the ones that do it. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening anytime soon the political will just doesn't exist.