148 City of Gary COMPREHENSIVE PLAN neighborhoods, andimprove overall qualityoflife inGary. align citysystems, provide openspace, enhance sustainability, strengthen and infrastructure strategies that willhelpstimulate economic growth, These three plans provide integrated and coordinated landuse, transportation, Gary. This chapter includesthefollowing three framework plans: land uses,neighborhoodplans,andtransportation/infrastructure prioritiesfor futurefuture.identifies infrastructure, facilitiesintothe It City and land, public use decisionmakingandinvestment, aswell ascitywide decisionmakingfor This chapter describes thephysical planningframeworks that willguideland • • • Green Infrastructure Plan Transportation Plan Land UsePlan frameworks planning chapter 6 chapter
149 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS LAND USE PLAN
Land use serves as the guide for development in Gary over There are five broad categories of land use: 1) residential, 2) the next 20 to 30 years. The land use plan tells the story of commercial, 3) employment, 4) open space, and 5) public/ how Gary may change in the future. Building on the citywide institutional. Residential designations range from single-family imperatives outlined previously, it provides a framework for: homes to multi-family apartments. Commercial designations provide locations for retail, office, and service uses. Employment • Creating consolidated and stable residential neighborhoods designations describe locations for industrial, manufacturing, • Concentrating retail and services at key nodes of activity and other large employers. Open space designations identify natural areas such as conservation lands and City parks. Public/ • Strengthening and expanding employment areas institutional designations include a range of public facilities • Protecting and enhancing Gary’s open space, natural such as schools, parks, and government buildings. beauty, and recreational assets
Topics covered in this chapter include land use designations, more detailed individual neighborhood plans, and priority areas for revitalization and investment. LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Land use designations indicate the intended use of each parcel of land in the city. They provide a vision of the city’s future development but largely remain adaptable to account for changes in economic conditions and community priorities. The Gary Comprehensive Plan includes 20 land use designations, described below and mapped in Figure 6-1 Land Use Plan.
While Comprehensive Plan land use designations are broad, they will guide how zoning regulations are developed. Zoning districts include specific allowances and prohibitions of uses (including conditional uses), and dimensional requirements such as building setbacks, parking standards, and building heights. Land use designations and zoning districts must be compatible but need not be exactly the same.
150 City of Gary ComprehensiveCOMPREHENSIVE Plan PLAN could ultimately transition to anotherlanduseover time. green infrastructure suchasstormwater parks.These areas productive landscapes(e.g. community gardens), andblue/ exist alongside community-maintained recreational spaces, reuse of vacant land. In many cases, residential dwellings will the encourage to flexibility of levels higher for allow also will dwellings withless restrictions onhousingdevelopment but areas willcontinue to includeamixofsingle-andmulti-family with highrates ofvacancy anddisinvestment. These residential This designation applies to distressed residential neighborhoods Flexible Residential of low- to medium-density neighborhoods. to becompatible with and oriented toward serving the needs centers, publicfacilities, andotheruseswhichare determined guest houses,churches, schools,day care centers, community apartments. This designation alsoallows secondary units, of multi-family housing typesfrom townhomes to multi-family include large andsmall-lotsingle-family dwellings andarange and housingvalues are relatively constant. Primarylanduses historically stable residential areas inthecitywhere population and multi-family housing.This designation covers themajorityof of traditional neighborhoodscontaining amixofsingle-family This designation provides for thepreservation andmaintenance Residential RESIDENTIAL LANDUSEDESIGNATIONS provide anopportunity foranumber ofpotentialuses Emerson in Park Buffington from across buildings Abandoned Homes alongMcKinleyStreetonGary’sWestSide
151 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS Transition to Employment
This designation applies to severely distressed residential neighborhoods where population loss is past a tipping point. These areas will no longer be maintained as traditional residential neighborhoods and will instead transition over time to serve another purpose for Gary’s future.
Vacant homes on Maryland Street in Pulaski. Blocks of vacant homes provide an opportunity to repurpose formerly-residential blocks and expand employment uses.
152 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan designed to create anattractive, safe pedestrian environment. designation are encouraged to face theprimaryroadway andbe or institutions, orinareas ofincreased activity. Buildingsinthis housing choices indirect relationship to anchorneighborhoods uses. Itsupportstheorganization ofservices, amenities,and services, dining, residential, and public or other compatible retail, office, as such uses different with buildings supports It along key corridors inthecitysuchasBroadway and5 This designation supportswalkable mixed-use development Neighborhood Mixed-Use Corridor public assembly, andothercivic/public usesare alsoallowed. environment. Parks/plazas/open space, education, cultural, ground floor uses are encouraged to create aActive pleasant visitors. pedestrian and workers, residents, attract will that services and retail walkable and space, office A Class development, use higher intensities, including bothvertical andhorizontal mixed- Downtown Downtowncore by accommodating the multi-story, mixed-use buildingsat of of intensification and areas reinvestment continued core the to Gary, centered around 5 applies designation This Downtown COMMERCIAL LANDUSEDESIGNATIONS th Avenue and Broadway. It supports supports It Broadway. and Avenue th Avenue. 5th Avenueneighborhood mixed-use Downtown Gary-Broadwaylookingnorthat5thAvenue
153 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS Neighborhood Commercial and Services
This designation supports consolidation of and investment in neighborhood-serving commercial and service uses at key nodes along the City’s main commercial or neighborhood thoroughfares. Land uses in this designation generally serve local areas and allow for a variety of retail, services, professional and business offices, dining, arts, public/institutional, and other supportive uses in low-rise buildings. This designation encourages smaller development aimed at creating an attractive and pedestrian-oriented retail frontage with buildings and entrances adjacent to the sidewalk.
Businesses, like this hardware store on 25th and Broadway, are located along major bus lines, with active businesses around them.
Flexible Commercial
This designation applies to distressed commercial areas with high rates of vacancy and disinvestment. It allows for higher levels of flexibility and targeted investment around viable activity centers, transit stops, and commercial nodes. These areas allow for a broad mix of uses and could ultimately transition to another role over time.
Broadway in Midtown
154 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan dining, thearts,andothersupportive uses. uses suchashotels, casinos,sportscomplexes, retail, services, visitors. Itsupportsawidevariety ofentertainment-related entertainment usesthat willattract bothresidents andregional This designation applies to areas of the citytargeted for Entertainment District modal travel. vibrant pedestrian environment, andissupportive ofmulti- site designthat enhances accessibility to stations, creates a and integrated institutional, mixoflandusesthat supporttransit usethrough an is designation this recreational, in Development uses. supportive other residential, office, service, the train station. It allows for a wide variety of commercial, intensity, mixed-use development withinwalking distance of higher- with stations transit Road Clark Miller,Downtown,and This designation supportsatransit-oriented district around the Transit-Oriented Development Photo Credit: DanCarden,TheTimes ofNorthwestIndiana Spectacle Entertainment casinoproposalrendering envisioned of Plan District transit-oriented developmentaroundtheMillerstation Lakefront Gary the from Rendering
155 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS Highway Commercial
This designation applies to auto-oriented corridors that capitalize on the high volume of automobile traffic along adjacent Interstate highways such as I-80/94. It allows for auto-oriented retail and service uses that serve a broader regional market including gasoline service stations, food and beverage sales, eating and drinking establishments, and hotels and motels. This designation applies to land around selected interchanges and is limited in area.
Truck stops located off I-80/94 along Grant Street
156 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan and commercial uses and minimize traffic, noise, and other and noise, impacts. traffic, minimize and uses commercial and the of appropriate transition areas andbuffers from otherresidential north facilities production Indiana Toll steel Road. Heavy industrial usesare required to provide and Avenue Cline and storage. This designation mainly applies to areas along impact industrial activity, suchasmanufacturing, wholesaling, This designation accommodates areas ofhigh-intensity, high- Heavy Industrial are alsoallowed. create concentrations ofemployment orcommunity activity services, community facilities, andsimilaruseswhichtogether parks. Othersupportingusessuchasrestaurants, medical and development, research transportation andlogistics, andtechnology and manufacturing, industrial light office, including supports awidevariety ofemployment-generating activities, uses to expand anddiversify thecity’s economic base. It This designation provides area for arange ofemployment Light Industrial/Employment Flex EMPLOYMENT LANDUSEDESIGNATIONS U.S. Steel Highway. A construction company located on Alabama Street at E Dunes
157 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS Intermodal/Logistics
This designation encourages growth around heavy industry, shipping, logistics, and intermodal port development in Buffington Harbor. It includes the Gary Port, rail yards, and other traffic-generating uses such as warehousing, logistics, and storage. Development in this designation is required to provide appropriate transition areas and buffers from other residential and commercial uses and minimize traffic, noise, and other impacts.
Buffington Harbor Photo Credit: Dan Carden, The Times of Northwest Indiana Airport
This designation applies to the Gary/Chicago International Airport and supports the continued use and expansion of the airport. It also includes flexible siting of supportive commercial, industrial, and recreational uses at or around the airport.
Gary/Chicago International Airport Photo Credit: The Chicago Crusader
158 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan and development opportunity. other purposes inthefuture, consistent withmarket demand costs for theCity. Larger landscapeareas may bereused for for local wildlife, anddecrease maintenance andoperational functions to capture stormwater, cleantheair, provide habitat green infrastructure. These landscapeareas serve important landscapes, urban forests, and stormwater management/ for productive usessuchasfood orenergy production, natural is vacant andunused.Itencourages thereuse ofvacant land significantly eroded to the point where the vast majority of land areas, andareas inwhichtheexisting residential fabric hasbeen This designation appliesto existing undeveloped land,open Landscape Reserve beaches, andcommunity centers. such asindoorandoutdoor athletic facilities, amphitheaters, Parks of and Recreation. Italsoincludesotherpublicrecreational Department uses Gary of City the by managed typically are Parks neighborhoods. surrounding to benefits recreational community, and regional parksthat provide openspace and This designation appliesto thecity’s neighborhood, City Parks Dunes National Park. Indiana as such lands conservation managed actively stormwater management.Itincludessensitive habitats and ecological preservation, publicopenspace, recreation, and This designation includesconservation landthat provides for Managed Conservation Lands OPEN SPACE LANDUSEDESIGNATIONS snl vcn hm o Dlwr Sre i Eesn stands Emerson alone surrounded byvacantland in Street Delaware on home vacant single A Buffington Park Indiana DunesNationalPark
159 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS PUBLIC/INSTITUTIONAL LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Public
This designation reserves areas for public and institutional uses, including hospitals, fire stations, police stations, libraries, and government buildings. It also allows for a variety of support uses such as restaurants, housing, and retail/services.
City Hall
Schools and Universities
This designation applies to public and private schools, trade schools, colleges, and universities.
Indiana University Northwest Photo Credit: Lord dumbello
160 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-1. LANDUSEPLAN
161 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS GARY NEIGHBORHOODS
The city of Gary contains 12 neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and conditions. Many of Gary’s neighborhoods are challenged by population loss and disinvestment, resulting in limited services and resources. Some are in good shape, with accessible amenities and well-maintained homes. Others are in dire condition, with high vacancy rates and numerous dilapidated structures. Many neighborhoods lie somewhere in between.
This section describes the current conditions and future vision for each neighborhood in Gary, as expressed by residents and community members. It includes strategies to address unique challenges and leverage inherent strengths of each neighborhood. In many instances, existing initiatives and projects are already underway to stabilize and transform neighborhoods, and these will continue to be implemented over time. These projects or strategies support the citywide imperatives presented previously and will help achieve the overall objectives for each neighborhood.
162 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan Horace Mann apartments,Downtown Gary
163 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS BRUNSWICK AND WEST SIDE
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING KEY STRATEGIES
CONDITIONS • Flexible Residential Areas. Brunswick residential areas (between 1-90, Colfax Street, the railroad tracks, and Clark Most of Brunswick and West Side consist of single-family Road) are maintained as residential areas but allow for homes. High vacancy rates are found on the western edge of greater flexibility with open space and potential for other the neighborhood’s residential areas near Colfax and Hobart uses. While many blocks are stable, others are in transition Streets and southwest of 15th Avenue and Clark Road. Three of and land use regulations need to be flexible to account for the schools which once served as community anchors are now decreasing housing demand. inactive and vacant. West Side features residential pockets, particularly around 11th Avenue and Burr Street, that are in more • Stable Neighborhoods. The City will continue to target stable condition, with lower vacancy rates, better property services and public investments in stable West Side conditions, and two active schools nearby. residential areas, particularly around active schools and other key neighborhood anchors like West Side High Most commercial uses are located along 5th Avenue, but there School and Brunswick Park. are significant stretches of vacant and deteriorated storefronts. • Contiguous Landscape Reserve. Existing open spaces The Tri-City Plaza Shopping Center was once the major between the railroad tracks and Burr Street will continue as commercial anchor for the neighborhood, but most of the unmanaged landscape reserve to provide natural buffers shops are now vacant. and leverage Gary’s natural beauty. • Expanded Employment Uses. Industrial uses will be Located between contaminated sites and heavy industrial uses maintained and expanded along Cline Avenue and around along Cline Avenue and the Budd Plant at Chase Street and the Budd Plant, including potential redevelopment of 5th Avenue, Brunswick, in particular, is somewhat isolated from the Tri-City Plaza Shopping Center and former Ivanhoe other residential neighborhoods and the rest of the city. Large housing site for employment-generating activities. swaths of managed conservation land and unmanaged open space provide a buffer between Cline Avenue industrial uses • Reorientation Toward the Grand Calumet River. The and the residential areas east of Colfax Street. Calumet River is a great resource. Blight elimination and investment will continue to occur to re-orient Brunswick toward the river regardless of future land use as open space, employment, or housing.
164 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-2.BRUNSWICK ANDWEST SIDE
165 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS BLACK OAK
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING KEY STRATEGIES
CONDITIONS • Flexible Residential Areas. Black Oak residential areas north of I-94 and around the Ridge Plaza Shopping Center Much of the Black Oak neighborhood consists of open space are maintained as residential but allow for greater flexibility in the floodplain around the Little Calumet River. Some of this with open space and potential for other uses. While many land is actively managed conservation land directly adjacent blocks are stable, others are in transition and land use to the river, and includes sections of the Gary Green Link trail. regulations need to be flexible to account for decreasing Sparsely populated single-family residential areas can be found housing demand. just north and south of I-94 between Cline Avenue and Burr Street. The neighborhood north of I-94 between the railroad • Key Retail Nodes. The City will encourage consolidation of tracks and Burr Street has particularly high vacancy rates and commercial uses and provide targeted investments at key a high percentage of homes in poor or dangerous condition. retail nodes such as the Ridge Plaza Shopping Center and Mobile home parks and low-density residential pockets are along Ridge Road. The largely vacant Village Shopping scattered amidst light industrial and auto-related uses along W Center presents an opportunity for redevelopment with Ridge Road between Colfax Street and Grant Street. employment or community uses. • Contiguous Landscape Reserve. Existing open spaces Black Oak is relatively isolated from other areas of the city, with around the Little Calumet River will continue as unmanaged few, if any neighborhood anchors or amenities. While open space landscape reserve. is prevalent, there is only one City park in the neighborhood at • Expanded Employment Uses. Industrial and employment- 25th and W. Bell Street, though Lake Etta (a County park) is generating uses will be maintained and expanded along nearby. There is also one school in the neighborhood – Steel Cline Avenue, on either side of I-94, along Grant Street, City Charter Academy – which is surrounded by light industrial and along Ridge Road. uses and lacks safe pedestrian and bike access for students. • Entertainment District. A new entertainment district to the Key commercial areas in Black Oak include truck stops and southwest of the I-94/Burr Street interchange will feature auto-related commercial uses around the I-94/Burr Street a mix of entertainment-related uses that will attract both interchange, the Ridge Plaza Shopping Center at Colfax Street residents and visitors to the city, taking advantage of the and Ridge Road, and the Village Shopping Center on Grant recently announced Hard Rock Casino, with its potential Street. for significant additional development and new amenities. • Gary Green Link. The City will continue to implement the Gary Green Link Plan, including planned trail improvements and extensions along the Little Calumet River.
166 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-3. BLACK OAK
167 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS TOLLESTON AND SMALL FARMS
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING KEY STRATEGIES
CONDITIONS • Flexible Residential Areas. Several small residential pockets, including those just north of the former MC Tolleston and Small Farms are predominately single- Bennet Community Park and both north and south of 11th family residential neighborhoods in stable condition. These Avenue between Chase and Grant Streets, are maintained neighborhoods have higher occupancy rates and a relatively as residential but allow for more open space, productive strong housing market compared to other areas of the city. landscapes, and green/blue infrastructure. These areas are Nearby community anchors and amenities include two actively at a tipping point and may transition to other uses over managed City parks (Patcher and Tolleston parks), the Boys and time. Blight elimination and public investment should focus Girls Club on 19th Avenue, and several active schools including on stabilizing these areas to complement stronger housing Frankie McCullough Girls Academy and Beveridge Elementary. demand and better serve neighboring blocks. Several neighborhood-oriented commercial corridors run • Stable Neighborhoods. The City will continue to provide through the area, including 11th Avenue, 15th Avenue, and Grant services and target investments in stable residential areas, Street. 11th Avenue was historically a strong retail corridor, but particularly around active schools and parks, and other key most blocks now contain a high level of vacant storefronts, neighborhood anchors like the Boys and Girls Club and vacant lots, or non-commercial uses, including churches and Tolleston Park. residential buildings. 15th Avenue and Grant Street are in similar • Contiguous Landscape Reserve. Existing open space in the condition, although new retail development continues at area around 19th Avenue and Whitcomb Street will continue County Market Plaza at Grant Street and 25th Avenue. A limited as unmanaged landscape reserve space to highlight the amount of auto-related commercial and light industrial uses neighborhood’s natural beauty, but serve as a placeholder can be found along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks to the for potential future development. north. • Expanded Employment Uses. Industrial uses will be maintained and expanded along the Norfolk Southern Several large undeveloped open spaces are located along the railroad and south of 25th Avenue, where demand southern boundary of Small Farms, around 25th Avenue. These continues to grow in numerous commercial and industrial include the former MC Bennett Community Park, which is no employment sectors. longer actively managed by the City, and Lake Sandy Jo, a contaminated former landfill site. • Key Retail Nodes. The City will encourage consolidation of neighborhood retail and services at key nodes along 11th Avenue, 15th Avenue, and Grant Street and provide targeted investments at key retail centers such as County Market Plaza.
168 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-4.TOLLESTON ANDSMALLFARMS
169 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS AMBRIDGE MANN AND HORACE MANN
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING including a grocery store. Additionally, heavy traffic, including truck traffic, and perceptions of speeding affect properties CONDITIONS on 4th and 5th Avenues and create an unpleasant pedestrian environment, coupled with a lack of consistent green space and Ambridge and Horace Mann contain a mix of older, traditional landscaping. single-family homes and multi-family residential buildings mainly along 5th Avenue and in the Westbrook area just southwest of the railroad tracks. These neighborhoods are generally stable and in good condition and feature striking historic architecture. Higher vacancy rates and housing in poor condition are limited to a few isolated pockets: north of 5th Avenue between Buchanan and Madison Streets, the area just east of Ambridge Mann Park, north of 3rd Avenue between Chase and Rutledge Streets, and south of 8th Avenue between Tyler and Madison Streets.
There are several key community and institutional anchors in the neighborhood including five active City parks, the Gary Methodist Hospital campus, and various public service buildings such as the Gary Police Department and Gary Health Department. While there is one active school in the neighborhood, most of the former neighborhood schools are now vacant and in disrepair, including Ambridge Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, and Horace Mann High School, which sits directly adjacent to the hospital.
5th Avenue is the main commercial corridor running through the neighborhood. Retail and service uses are scattered along the corridor amidst multi-family residential and non-residential uses such as churches and public facilities. Commercial uses are generally clustered on the eastern side near Downtown and around the 5th Avenue and Bridge Street intersection. Most commercial and retail buildings are in poor physical condition or completely abandoned for large stretches along 5th Avenue. In general, the neighborhood lacks convenient retail amenities,
170 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan KEY STRATEGIES • • • • office, workforce housing, and community facilities). expand healthcare, institutional, and supportive uses (e.g. Hospital willbetargeted for reuse orredevelopment to school sites andothervacant properties around Methodist Expanded Healthcare andInstitutional Uses. school sites. the school district to repurpose or redevelop inactive other key neighborhoodanchors.The Citywillwork with areas, particularlyaround active schoolsandparks, services and targeted investments in stable residential Stable Neighborhoods. in thefuture. should bere-oriented to account for achangeinlanduse for employment and infrastructure andblightelimination patterns. These areas should focus on new opportunities demand andnolongeradhere to historical development south of 8th Avenue are past a tipping point for residential and Streets Buchanan and Avenue,Madison, Avenue,5th Residential Transition Areas. demand andbetter serve neighboringblocks. on stabilizing these areas to complement stronger housing time. Blightelimination andpublicinvestment shouldfocus at atippingpointandmay transition to otherusesover landscapes, and green/blue infrastructure. These areas are as residential butallow for more openspace, productive 3 Ambridge Elementary and the river and between 5 Flexible Residential Areas. rd Avenue, StreetsMadison and Buchanan are maintained
The Citywillcontinue to provide Residential areas between 3rd Residential areas between
Large inactive th Avenue, • • • • services consolidated andclustered around theGrant and contain a flexible mix of uses with neighborhood retail and 5 Reconfiguration of 4 Reconfiguration of Buchanan Street intersections. Gary GreenGary Link. Green Linktrail. Buchanan Street entrance to ourcity, andcontinuing the and recreational access to theriverfront, beautifyingthe unmanaged landscapereserve, expanding openspace areas alongtheGrand CalumetRiver willtransition to be Contiguous LandscapeReserve. will traffic Truck rerouted along 4 enhancements. streetscape and converted to atwo-way complete street, withpedestrian and extensions alongtheGrand CalumetRiver. GreenGary LinkPlan,includingplannedtrail improvements th Avenue Flexible Mixed-Use Corridor. th The Citywillcontinue to implementthe Avenue. th and5 th Avenues. High-vacancy residential 5 th 5 Avenuebe will th vne will Avenue
171 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS FIGURE 6-5. AMBRIDGE MANN AND HORACE MANN
172 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan This pageleftblankintentionally
173 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS DOWNTOWN AND EMERSON properties south of the railroad tracks, east of Alabama Street, and between Route 20 (Dunes Highway) and I-90. OVERVIEW AND EXISTING KEY STRATEGIES CONDITIONS • Flexible Residential Areas. Residential areas east of Rhode As the traditional center of the City, Downtown and Emerson Island Street are maintained as residential but allow for feature a number of important institutions, including City Hall, the more open space, productive landscapes, and green/blue Lake County Superior Court, and various public service facilities infrastructure. These areas are at a tipping point and may along Broadway. Additional activity generators include the transition to other uses over time. Blight elimination and Genesis Convention Center, the Railcats baseball stadium, and public investment should focus on stabilizing these areas the ArtHouse Social Kitchen. Public art and historic structures to complement stronger housing demand to the west and also drive Downtown traffic. better serve neighboring Downtown blocks.
Located just south of I-90 at the axis of two important • Residential Transition Areas. The majority of Emerson, th thoroughfares – Broadway and 5th Avenue – Downtown/Emerson east of Rhode Island Street and south of 8 Avenue, are is well-connected to regional destinations and other parts of the past a tipping point for residential demand and no longer City. The Gary Metro South Shore station provides access to jobs adhere to its historical development patterns A focus on and amenities in Chicago. Downtown also serves as the focal new opportunities for employment, art, and urban farming point for the City’s bus transit network, with rapid bus service should continue in these areas. Potential new residential along Broadway from Downtown to Merrillville, and a Greyhound development should allow for strategic in-fill housing that bus hub in the Adam Benjamin Metro Center. build on stronger blocks, and zoning should provide for creative new possibilities like tiny houses or cooperatives With the exception of several multi-family developments west of around activity centers pursuant to neighborhood demand Broadway, most residential uses consist of single-family homes and tastes. located east of Broadway in Emerson. Most of Emerson suffers • Downtown District. Vacant properties and large inactive from vacant lots and blocks, numerous vacant buildings, and public parcels will be targeted for reuse or redevelopment older housing stock in poor condition. with a mix of ground-floor retail, commercial, office, multi- family residential, arts, and entertainment uses that will serve Commercial uses are concentrated along 5th Avenue and residents and attract visitors to the city. Higher-density transit- Broadway, although these corridors feature numerous vacant oriented development (TOD) including homes and a variety lots and abandoned buildings that contribute to blight. An active of everyday goods and services for residents and commuters shopping center strip is located on Broadway between 9th and 10th will be encouraged around the Gary Metro station. Avenue and provides needed amenities for the neighborhood. • Reconfiguration ofth 4 and 5th Avenues. 5th Avenue will be converted to a two-way complete street, with pedestrian Downtown and Emerson are generally surrounded by industrial and streetscape enhancements, to further foster Downtown uses on two sides. U.S. Steel Gary Works is located directly amenities and pedestrian traffic. Truck traffic will be rerouted north of Downtown and I-90. Homes in Emerson are bordered along 4th Avenue. by undeveloped open space and several large light industrial
174 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-6.DOWNTOWN ANDEMERSON
175 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS MIDTOWN KEY STRATEGIES • Flexible Residential Areas. Residential areas south of 25th OVERVIEW AND EXISTING Avenue between Harrison and Jefferson Streets and generally CONDITIONS north of 19th Avenue between Taft and Monroe Streets are maintained as residential, but land use regulations allow for Midtown features a mix of single-family and multi-family homes, more open space, productive landscapes, and green/blue including several Gary Housing Authority (GHA) developments. infrastructure. These areas are at a tipping point and may Generally, Midtown has suffered from disinvestment and high transition to other uses over time. Blight elimination and rates of vacancy. Blocks with higher concentrations of vacant public investment should focus on stabilizing these areas to lots and homes in poor condition are located northeast of complement stronger housing demand in neighboring blocks. the railroad tracks between Pierce Street and Madison Street, • Residential Transition Areas. The areas on either side of southwest of the railroad tracks between Broadway and Virginia Broadway and south of 25th Avenue between Grant and Street, and in several pockets south of 25th Avenue. Harrison Street are past a tipping point for residential demand and no longer adhere to historical development Several active City parks, including Roosevelt, Norton, and Reed patterns. These areas should focus on new opportunities for Park, are all located in Midtown. The neighborhood contains employment and infrastructure and blight elimination should two active schools as well as several inactive former school be re-oriented to account for a change in land use in the sites. Other community assets include numerous block clubs, future. community gardens, and churches. • Stable Neighborhoods. The City will continue to provide Commercial blocks are found on Broadway, Grant Street, 15th services and provide targeted investments in stable Street, 21st Avenue, and 25th Avenue. While all of these corridors residential areas particularly around active schools and contain numerous vacant lots and abandoned buildings, parks, within walking distance to GPTC stops, and by other there are a few retail and service clusters including Broadway key neighborhood anchors. th th th between 11 and 15 Avenues, Broadway and 25 Avenue, and • Broadway Flexible Mixed-Use Corridor. Broadway will allow th the County Market Plaza at 25 Avenue and Grant Street. a flexible mix of uses with neighborhood retail and services consolidated and clustered at key intersections such as 11th Midtown has several light industrial areas along the diagonal Avenue, 15th Avenue, 21st Avenue, and 25th Avenue. railroad corridor and the area near the intersection of Grant • Green Corridor. Existing open space between the railroad Street and 10th Avenue, including auto body repair and auto tracks and 10th Avenue will be maintained as a contiguous part recycling centers. Many have outdoor storage areas with green corridor and buffer from Broadway past Colfax Street equipment, materials, and vehicles that lack property screening to the west. and buffering from adjacent residential homes. • Landscape Reserve. High-vacancy residential areas south of Midtown has good access to regional locations via I-94, as 27th Avenue and areas in the Little Calumet floodplain will well as both Downtown Gary and Merrillville via the GPTC transition to unmanaged landscape reserve to allow for a Metro Express, which has bus stops at regular intervals along wide range of potential development in the future should Broadway. market conditions support investment.
176 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-7. MIDTOWN
177 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS PULASKI
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING KEY STRATEGIES
CONDITIONS • Flexible Residential Areas. Residential areas are maintained as residential, but land use regulations allow Most of Pulaski consists of single-family neighborhoods and for more open space and green/blue infrastructure. Areas natural open space to the southeast in the Little Calumet River between Broadway, I-94, and the railroad tracks and east floodplain. Homes around Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School are in of MLK Drive will transition over time to employment uses, fair to good condition with low vacancy rates. Areas between complementing recent development along I-65 and 15th Virginia Street and the railroad tracks and east of MLK Drive, Avenue. particularly Marshalltown, contain a number of residential blocks with a high percentage of vacant properties and small, • Flexible Commercial Corridor. 21st Avenue will continue poorly maintained homes. The Pulaski neighborhood has as a flexible mix of uses including single- and multi-family several strong blocks scattered among areas of high vacancy residential, office, service, retail, and institutional uses. and blighted property. This corridor will provide a broad range of uses and could ultimately transition to another role over time. Some neighborhood-oriented commercial uses are present • Expanded Employment Uses. Industrial uses will be st along 21 Avenue, such as small grocery/convenience stores, maintained and expanded along 15th Avenue between take-out food, and gas stations. Several of the blocks along Central Avenue and I-65. the corridor now contain institutional uses, such as churches, • Contiguous Landscape Reserve. Existing open spaces and multi-family buildings. Other community amenities and in the Little Calumet River floodplain will continue as a anchors include Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School and several combination of both managed conservation land and small City parks. However, Drew Elementary on 21st Avenue is unmanaged landscape reserve. now closed and the adjacent GHA housing site is soon to be vacated as well, which will leave a large central portion of the neighborhood vacant and inactive.
The Midwest Center for Industry economic development area is located just northeast of Pulaski along 15th Avenue at I-65. This area has experienced steady development since 2010 and contains a mix of logistics and light industrial uses, as well several public uses, including a NIPSCO facility and a US Postal Service branch.
178 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-8.PULASKI
179 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS UNIVERSITY PARK AND GLEN PARK
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING The Grant Street corridor is a highly trafficked commercial corridor, though the stretch just south of I-80/94 largely serves CONDITIONS trucking and interstate traffic. Neighborhood retail along Ridge Road and Cleveland Street serves Glen Park residents. University Park and Glen Park consist of several fair- to Several strong commercial nodes exist along Broadway, though well-maintained residential neighborhoods, largely west of blighted and long-vacant commercial buildings are scattered Broadway, but challenged residential areas east of Broadway. along the main thoroughfares. The most active retail sections Most of the housing is single-family although there are some of Broadway are around IUN, at Ridge Road, and south of 45th concentrations of multi-family housing including senior Avenue. The Village Shopping Center provides low-yield retail th housing, and some apartments along 35 Avenue along amenities and could be reinvigorated with new investment, or Gleason Park and the Indiana University (IUN) campus. West may be redeveloped entirely to serve a new purpose, leveraging Glen Park and the areas just south of Gleason Park are strong the high-traffic Grant Street corridor and access to I-80/94. and stable residential areas with a high level of well-maintained Limited small-scale industrial properties are scattered along the homes and historic architecture. The highest concentrations of railroad and former rail right-of-way through the neighborhood. vacant lots and blighted homes include the blocks around the Many of these properties are located adjacent to single-family now vacant Franklin Elementary School, the area between the homes and lack buffers and screening. railroad and former rail right-of-way that bisects the community, and the areas east of Georgia Street. The historic Morningside The northernmost portion of University Park consists of neighborhood contains many architecturally significant homes managed conservation land and open space including wetlands, in the southwest side of Glen Park, but it lies adjacent to vacant forests, farmlands, and floodplain along the Little Calumet former Lew Wallace High School, creating a threat to this River. This area provides wildlife habitat and recreational neighborhood’s property values. opportunities, including a multi-use trail as part of the Gary Green Link network. University Park contains a number of strong institutions including Indiana University Northeast, Ivy Tech Community One of the primary assets of the University Park and Glen Park College, and the Gary Career Center. Other key community neighborhoods is its excellent access to other parts of the city anchors include the large Gleason Park and golf course, Bailly and Northwest Indiana through regional connectors such as Middle School, Glen Park Academy, and Pittman Square Park. I-80/94 and I-65. In addition, several bus routes run through However, quite a few of the neighborhood schools are closed the neighborhood, including bus rapid transit service along and now lie vacant and in disrepair, creating large abandoned Broadway. properties that threaten the quality of life of surrounding neighborhoods, absent action to repurpose or demolish the schools.
180 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan KEY STRATEGIES • • • • for more open space, greater flexibility in development opportunities, andgreen/blue infrastructure. in flexibility greater space, open more for residential areas are maintainedasresidential butallow Flexible Residential Uses. increasing thetaxbase. Gleason Park, focusing onneighborhoodrevitalization and accommodate awideranges ofpotential re-uses for significant absent blight clearance andreinvestment. development Zoning should new precludes homes where housingdemandisminimalandsupply ofvacant in high-vacancy neighborhoods inGlenPark’s southeast side emerge may employment for opportunity Additional 35 western partoftheneighborhoodalongGrant Street, generating useswillbemaintainedandexpanded inthe Expanded Employment Uses. and along Grant Street. Road, Ridge West IUN, around as such nodes retail commercial usesandprovide targeted investments at key Key Retail Nodes. vibrant andpedestrian-oriented environment. and development streetscape improvements alongBroadway retail willcreate a New facilities. recreational and institutional, research, office, retail, housing, infill new as sites andothervacant properties withsupportive usessuch around theUniversity andredevelopment ofinactive school expansion ofeducation andtechnology-related uses revitalization plandeveloped in2016. The Plancallsfor East Blueprint for Change, a community-led neighborhood implement therecommendations intheUniversity Park University Park East Plan. th Avenue, and West Ridge Road west of Grant Street. Grant of west Road Ridge West and Avenue, The Citywillencourage consolidation of The majorityofeast Glen Park Industrial andemployment- The Citywillcontinue to • • Avenue will continue as a combination of both managed both of combination a as continue will Avenue around the Little Calumet River and north of 33 Contiguous LandscapeReserve. and extensions alongtheLittleCalumetRiver. GreenGary LinkPlan,includingplannedtrail improvements GreenGary Link. areas untilmarket demandemerges for redevelopment. vacancy areas east ofGeorgia Street willbeheldasnatural conservation landandunmanagedlandscapereserve. High
The Citywillcontinue to implementthe xsig pn spaces open Existing rd /34 th
181 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS FIGURE 6-9. UNIVERSITY PARK AND GLEN PARK
182 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan This pageleftblankintentionally
183 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS AETNA, MILLER, AND GLEN RYAN
OVERVIEW AND EXISTING exists just to the west of Glen Ryan, and several light industrial properties lie just to the north of Route 12/20 off the I-65 CONDITIONS terminus. Light industrial and auto-related commercial uses can be found along Route 20 east of Lake Street. The Ripley Miller north of Route 12, Glen Ryan north of Route 12 just east of Street/Melton Road interchange is highly accessible from I-80, Clay Street, and Aetna make up the city’s East Lakefront district. I-94, I-90, and I-65, creating one of the most ideal locations in The neighborhoods are centered around Route 12/20 and the the country for shipping, warehousing, trucking, or other high- Miller South Shore Line Station and consist of mainly single- volume logistics operations. family homes. Most homes in the neighborhood are in good condition and occupancy rates are high. However, pockets of Miller contains some of Gary’s greatest recreational and open Aetna, particularly west of Aetna Street, have a large number space assets, including Indiana Dunes National Park and of vacant lots and homes in poor condition. The Woodlake Marquette Park. Indiana Dunes National Park provides walking Village subdivision, somewhat isolated from the rest of the trails, large natural areas, and lakeshore access. Marquette neighborhood just north of Route 20 along the City boundary Park is a Gary landmark that includes landscaped grounds, at County Line Road, contains a mix of single-family and multi- play structures, and a historic pavilion and bathhouse. The family housing with moderate vacancy rates. neighborhood still contains several active schools and small parks, but several key community anchors such as Wirt High The majority of commercial uses in the neighborhood are along School and the former Ralph’s grocery at 6300 Miller Avenue Route 12 (Dunes Highway), Route 20 (Melton Road), and Lake are now closed and vacant. Street. Several restaurants and auto-oriented establishments are active along Route 12/20 although many parcels are inactive Aetna, Glen Ryan, and Miller are well-served by highway and or underutilized. From Clay Street to Old Hobart Road, most of transit connections. US Route 12 and 20 provide access to Melton Road development is incoherent with little connectivity, Downtown Gary to the west and Porter County to the east. The no landscaping, a hodgepodge of signage, and generally Miller South Shore Line Station at Lake Street provides access poorly maintained auto-oriented establishments. Lake Street, to regional destinations, including the Chicago job market. however, is a lively neighborhood-oriented retail corridor with I-65 is a major national north-side highway providing access small-scale shops and restaurants. In addition, there is a small to south Lake County and, ultimately, Indianapolis downstate. node of neighborhood retail at Locust and Shelby Streets in the “Miller Beach” area that serves both residents and tourists during the summer months.
Aetna and Miller contain several industrial properties, mostly on the far western side of the neighborhood. A large Indiana Department of Transportation facility is located on the west side of Aetna at the corner of I-90 and Route 12/20, manufacturing
184 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan KEY STRATEGIES • • • • • • • Dunes National Park. Plan, includingplannedtrail improvements andextensions through Indiana GreenGary Link. increased National Park traffic. due to continued development andbuildoutoftheMillerStation area and uses over time, butmay remain residential ashousingdemand increases space and green/blue infrastructure. These areas may transition to other residential areas are maintainedas residential butallow for more open Flexible Residential Areas. thriving retail corridors. provide targeted investments in stable residential areas, and along the Stable Neighborhoods. consolidated alongRoute 20east oftheLakefront District TOD area. Consolidated Industrial Areas. pedestrian andbicycle mobility. improvements along Lake Street and Melton Road to enhance accessible Complete Streets. enhanced road maintenance, opportunities for site aggregation, andimproved rail operations. of reduced terms in benefits provide will Street, realigning theexisting railroad, andrelocating MillerStation. This a portionofRoute 12redundant withRoute 20to thewest ofLake Route 12Realignment. all modesoftransportation. for circulation efficient attractive,improvecreatesafe,toand accessand uses moving outwards along Route 20. The Plan also provides guidance distance ofthetrain station, andlower densitycommercial andindustrial plan promotes higherdensity, mixed-use development withinwalking to facilitate transit-oriented development around theMillerStation. The Lakefront District Plan, which includes zoning and land use design LakefrontEastguidance Plan. District The Citywillcontinue to Green implementtheGary Link The Citywillcontinue to implementcomplete streets
The Route 12Realignment project involves closing The Citywillcontinue to maintainservices and
Most blocks in Aetna, and Woodlake Village Woodlake and Aetna, in blocks Most The City will continue to implement the East the continuetoimplement will The City Industrial andauto-related useswillbe compressed-1.pdf sites/2/2015/10/East_Lakefront_District. us/redevelopment/wp-content/uploads/ in 2016, canbefound at: https://garyin. adoptedLakefront Plan, EastTheDistrict
185 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS FIGURE 6-10. AETNA, MILLER, AND GLEN RYAN
186 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan constraints suchascontaminated properties and ahighwater but redevelopment may be complicated due to environmental land around theairport provide opportunitiesfor expansion, and apron rehabilitation projects. Vacant andunderutilized and Border Control (CBP) facility in2018, and various runway main runway in2015, theconstruction ofanew USCustomers improvements inrecent years includinganextension ofthe Clark Road. The airporthasundergone extensive infrastructure South Shore Linestation located just southoftheairporton Airport Gary/Chicago the including access, rail and highway has robust and third airport Chicago’sunofficial as billed often is Airport Gary/Chicago The logistics. and transportation for facilitating expansion oftheportandsurrounding properties recent State legislation willenablethecasinoto relocate, While casinooperations currently dominate useoftheharbor, the Gary/ port/marina,Gary two Majestic Star casino boats, and a hotel. and the includes Harbor Harbor Buffington Airport. International Buffington Chicago – assets transportation access, thisarea contains two ofGary’s most important In additionto itsexcellent highway andfreight transportation and greater Northwest IndianaandChicagoareas. mill steel the serving Railroad (CN) National Canadian the for operation. Just Workssouth of Gary is the Kirk Yard, a rail yard companies, andCarmeuse Lime&Stone, alarge limemining and processing companies, warehouse/distribution-related in thecity. To thewest works ofGary are several steel supply largest manufacturing plant andoneofthelargest employers facilities. This area ishometo Works, Gary whichisUSSteel’s and theI-90toll road contains much ofthecity’s heavy industrial The northwestern portionofthecitybetween Lake Michigan CONDITIONS OVERVIEW AND EXISTING BUFFINGTON HARBORANDINDUSTRIAL AREAS updating itsMaster Plan,whichisexpected late 2019. table in this area. The airport is currently in the process of balance industrial redevelopment andwetland preservation. Link. Future development inthis area willneedto carefully Preserve will remain undeveloped Green as part of the Gary open space land directly adjacent to the Clark and Pine Nature by industrial uses and heavy infrastructure. Some of the natural rare duneandswale landscapethat iscompletely surrounded located along N Clark Road and contains 300 acres of is globally- Preserve Nature Pine and Clark The wetlands. unprotected including permanently protected conservation land and This area oftheCityalsocontains several large natural areas,
187 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS KEY STRATEGIES
• Gary Green Link. The City will continue to implement the • Rail Line Consolidation. The area north of the airport has Gary Green Link Plan, including conservation of high- numerous grade-level railroad tracks that impede ingress value natural areas and planned trail improvements and and egress to Buffington Harbor and industrial properties. extensions. The Clark Road crossing, in particular, has been identified • Buffington Harbor Redevelopment. The City plans to as one of the most dangerous at-grade crossings in the develop Buffington Harbor into a larger-scale shipping State of Indiana and nationwide. port by relocating casino operations and expanding transportation and logistics uses around the port. • Gary/Chicago Airport Expansion. The City plans to expand the airport to handle additional passenger and freight traffic, which would provide an economic boost to the City and region. Opportunity exists for additional intermodal transport, logistics, and business park development around the airport and port to take advantage of the extensive rail, water, air, and roadway transportation network. • Gary/Chicago Airport Station Improvements. The City will upgrade and improve the Gary/Chicago Airport South Shore Line Station to transform it into a commuter hub for the airport, future business, and industry. • Airport Road Green Corridor. The City will implement green infrastructure improvements along Airport Road to manage stormwater runoff. • Buffington Harbor Drive Expansion. Access to industrial facilities on the lakefront is challenging and needs major improvement. The Buffington Harbor Drive Expansion project includes planned extension of Buffington Harbor Drive, rehabilitation, and upgrades including intersection improvements to better accommodate truck traffic, particularly oversize loads.
188 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-11. BUFFINGTON HARBORANDINDUSTRIAL AREAS
189 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS South Shore Line train arrives at Adam Benjamin Metro Center
190 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan and correlates to themapfeat following list references key plans,programs, andprojects intheCityofGary the specified, otherwise Unless section. this improvementsin summarizedare transportation network. The most relevant existing plansandanticipated improvements integrate inGary withthelarger localandregional multi-modal to understand these existing and planned projects to ensure that potential improvements planned or programmed throughout thecity. Itisimportant South the of Shore Line, have operator avariety oftransportation plansandanticipated network (NICTD), District Transportation Commuter Indiana The City of Gary and regional agencies such as GPTC, INDOT, and the Northern PROJECTS PLANNED ANDPROGRAMMED support Gary’s broader economic and sustainability goals. described herein willcomplement existing andplanneddevelopment and improvements. The future transportation network andplannedimprovements and programmed roadway, transit, rail, airport,bicycle, andpedestrian facility of thefuture landuseitserves. Topics covered inthissectionincludeplanned system shouldalsobeconsistent withandsensitive to the surrounding context for themodeoftravel, whetheritbeby car, transit, bicycle, orwalking. The should have multiple options for the routes they take to reach destinations and and facilities, efficient improving of existing multimodalmobilityfor residents. Gary residents Gary andvisitors and maintenance and safe use the efficient goods, promoting of coordinated,transport are decisions use land and objectives ofthisComprehensive Planincludeensuringthat transportation This sectiondescribes theplannedcitywide transportation network. Key TRANSPORTATION PLAN ure o n Figure 6-12. engineering anddesign. reconfiguration, will be determined during Avenue5th and 4th the as such projects, transportation planned of termini Exact
191 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS TABLE 6-1. PLANNED AND PROGRAMMED PROJECTS Map General Termini Type Description Status ID Location 1, 2 W 4th Avenue Bridge Street/ Complete streets Two-way street (truck route) on 4th Avenue Planned and 5th Avenue Buchanan Street on 5th Avenue and two-way complete street (non-truck) on to split between and 3-lane truck 5th Avenue Downtown to enhance pedestrian Tennessee Street route on 4th safety around City Hall, the ballpark, and other and Virginia Avenue Downtown amenities. Streets 3 Grant Street W 8th Avenue to 4th Complete street Pedestrian-oriented improvements adjacent to Conceptual Avenue Methodist Hospital 4 Buchanan Toll Road entrance Green Greenway at the Buchanan Street entrance to Planned Street (I-90) to 8th infrastructure the Toll Road Avenue project, gateway beautification 5 Massachusetts W. 4 th Avenue to Bike lane Dedicated north-south bike route Conceptual Street 53rd Avenue 6 Broadway 4th Avenue to 53rd Complete street 2018 Broadway resurfacing studies show Programmed Avenue excess right-of-way that would allow potential complete street elements to enhance walkability and pedestrian safety 7 Lake Street/ 1/2 mile around Transit-Oriented Pedestrian and multi-modal improvements Programmed Miller Station station Development adjacent to station (SSL) (TOD) 8 Gary Metro/ 1/2 mile around Transit-Oriented Pedestrian and multi-modal improvements Conceptual Adam Benjamin station Development adjacent to station Station (SSL) (TOD) 9 Clark Road/ 1/2 mile around Transit-Oriented Pedestrian and multi-modal improvements Conceptual Gary-Chicago station Development adjacent to station Airport Station (TOD) (SSL) 10 Aetna Street Dunes Highway to Road diet Reduce travel lanes to enhance pedestrian Conceptual 15th Avenue safety and lessen burden on infrastructure 11 Clay Street 15th Avenue to 6th Complete streets Better, safer connectivity from Aetna and Glen Conceptual Avenue Ryan to Miller TOD 12 Lake Street US 20 to Lake Complete streets Better, safer connectivity from US 20 to Lake Programmed Street Beach (860 and stormwater Michigan amenities N. Lake Street) improvements
192 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan Map 20 24 ID 23 22 14 16 19 18 13 15 21 17 Harbor Road Buffington Harrison Street Ridge Road 35 25 15 11 Realignment US 12/20 Avenue Hemlock Grand Blvd Miller Avenue Crossing Lake Street RR th th th th Avenue Location Avenue General Avenue Avenue Broadway to Grant Cline Avenue Virginia Street to Grant Street Clark Street to Street road west ofLake to US12vianew 20 reconnecting of Clay Street, US US 12vacated east Street Grand Blvd to Lake Hemlock Avenue intersection to Miller Avenue intersection including Grand Blvd, Lake Street to CSX RRTracks Lake Street and Buchanan Street Bridge termini to Buffington Harbor 80/94 Overpass Mississippi Street Broadway to Mississippi Street Grant Street to Street Termini
improvements and intersection Complete streets Improvements Safety Construction New Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Complete streets Road diet Complete streets Road diet Road realignment Complete streets Complete streets Type Lake Street, andtheMillerTOD street elementsconnecting Marquette Park, Connection inacontinuous loopofcomplete improvements; implementrecommendations Conduct feasibility study for safety and mobility serving Buffington Harborindustrial area Continued development ofindustrial grade road I-80/94 Restore north-southconnectivity across Complete connection alongregional arterial University Park Improve safety andconnectivity within safety andlessen burden oninfrastructure Reduce travel lanesto enhance pedestrian including Purdue NW 15 Improvements to better, more safely connect safety andlessen burden oninfrastructure Reduce travel lanes to enhance pedestrian SSL improvements andassociated development Vacation ofparallel highway accommodates Lake Street, andtheMillerTOD street elementsconnecting Marquette Park, Connection inacontinuous loopofcomplete Lake Street, andtheMillerTOD street elementsconnecting Marquette Park, Connection inacontinuous loopofcomplete th Avenue corridor to amenitiesto thewest, Description Conceptual Planned Conceptual Planned Planned Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Programmed Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Status
193 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS Map General Termini Type Description Status ID Location 25 Old Hobart Rd Old Hobart Road Safety Conduct feasibility study for safety Conceptual RR Crossing and CSX RR Tracks Improvements improvements; implement recommendations 26 County Line County Line Road Safety Conduct feasibility study for safety and mobility Conceptual Road RR and NS RR Tracks Improvements improvements; implement recommendations Crossing 27 Grant Street Grant Street and Safety Conduct feasibility study for safety and mobility Conceptual and Ridge Ridge Road @ NS Improvements improvements; implement recommendations Road RR Tracks Crossing 28 Marquette Trail Grand Blvd to Multiuse trail Continue design and construction of trail Planned/ Ambridge Mann segments: Park and Bridge Programmed Street to Cline Ave Grand Blvd to Broadway (Union Station) Union Station to Ambridge Mann Park Bridge Street to Clark Rd Clark Rd to Cline Avenue 29 Green Link Trail Burr Street to EJE Multiuse trail Continue design and construction of trail Planned RR segments: County Line Road to CSX RR Burr Street to Colfax Street Colfax Street to CN RR 30 Gary Elevate 5th and Chase Multiuse trail Redevelop the abandoned, elevated train line Planned Street to Green through the Midtown neighborhood of Gary. Link Trail along/ The trail will connect key neighborhoods and south of Mason residents to other proposed trail extensions Street including the Marquette Trail and Gary Greenlink Trail.
194 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan FIGURE 6-12. PLANNEDANDPROGRAMMEDTRANSPORTATION PROJECTS Planned/Programmed Projects Planned/Programmed Legend Complete Street Complete Lane Bike 312 « ¬ 912 « ¬ Buffington Harbor Roadway Improvement Roadway Rehabilitation Diet Road ) " 23 ) " 29 Green Link Trail Link Green Gary/Chicago International Airport
COLFAX ST
BURR ST HWY INDUSTRIAL Truck Route Realignment Road
CLARK RD Buchanan Street Buchanan ( ! 25TH AV 25TH ) " 26 Transit Oriented Development Transit Oriented Improvement Safety ) " 18 ) " 17 CHASE ST ¨¦ §
80 TAFT ST
Oak Savannah Trail Savannah Oak 19TH AV « ¬
55 35TH 35TH AV ) " 2 ) " 27 ) " ) " 3 #
GRANT ST 11TH AV Planned/Programmed Project ID Project Planned/Programmed ) " Planned/Proposed Bike Lane Bike Planned/Proposed Trail Planned/Proposed 4 ) "
30 21ST 21ST AV ) " 1 Gary ELevateTrailGary ¨¦ § ) " 90 ) " 19 22 US Steel ) " 20
8TH AV 37TH 37TH AV Downtown IUN ) " 27 « ¬ ) " 53
6 15TH AV ! ) " ) " 21 5
South Shore Line Shore South Station Shore South Railroad Inactive Railroad Active GEORGIA ST ¤ £
12 CENTRAL AV CENTRAL Existing Trail Existing Space Open and Parks Managed Limits Gary of City ¨¦ § ) " 28 65 Marquette TrailMarquette ) " 10 Lake Michigan Lake ) " 11 ) " 16 0 ) " 12 2,000 Id ) " 28 7GatS n ig dR rsigSafey Improvement ELevate Trail Gary 30 Trail Green Link 29 Trail Marquette 28 Crossing RR Rd and Ridge St Grant 27 Crossing RR Line Rd County 26 Crossing Old Hobart RR 25 Crossing RR St Lake 24 Buffington Harbor Rd 23 Harrison St 22 Rd Ridge 21 Ave 35th 20 Ave 25th 19 Ave 15th 18 Ave 11th 17 Realignment US 12/20 16 Ave Hemlock 15 Grand Blvd 14 Ave Miller 13 St Lake 12 St Clay 11 St Aetna 10 lr dGr hcg ipr tto SL rni retdDvlpetConceptual Conceptual Development Oriented Transit Development Oriented Transit (SSL) Station Airport Chicago Rd/Gary Clark 9 (SSL) Benjamin Station Metro/Adam Gary 8 (SSL) Station Street/Miller Lake 7 Broadway 6 Massachusetts St 5 St Buchanan 4 St Grant 3 Ave 5th W 2 Ave 4th W 1 ) " 24 ) " 15 ) " 13 4,000 ) " 14 Feet Marquette Park ¤ £ 20 ) " 25 Project Planned / Programmed Projects Programmed / Planned « ¬ 51 City of Gary of City Trail Trail Trail Planned ImprovementSafety ImprovementSafety ImprovementSafety Improvement Roadway Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Street Complete Diet Road Street Complete Diet Road Realignment Road Street Complete Street Complete Street Complete Street Complete Street Complete Diet Road rni retdDvlpetProgrammed Development Oriented Transit Street Complete Lane Bike Street Complete Street Complete Street Complete Route Truck Type ) " 26 ± Proposed Planned Planned Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Planned Planned Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Programmed Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Programmed Conceptual Conceptual Programmed Conceptual Planned Conceptual Planned Planned Status
195 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
In collaboration with the Delta Institute, Alliance for the Additionally, the Plan includes Model Zoning and Permitting Great Lakes and many other local and regional partners, Guidelines, developed by the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the City completed the Gary Green Infrastructure Plan in Delta Institute, which establishes recommended codes and February 2019. The Green Infrastructure Plan (see Appendix permitting processes for implementing green infrastructure on A) is informed by over two years of research, planning, and new construction and significant renovation projects. The Plan engagement and provides a citywide framework for green concludes with a Financial Analysis that details the return of infrastructure that is integrated with the broader land use investment from citywide implementation of the Plan’s Priority planning and redevelopment efforts described throughout Projects, as well as suggested Management, Funding, and the Comprehensive Plan. By creating a blueprint for planning, Financing Strategies for implementing and maintaining green implementing, regulating, and managing green infrastructure, infrastructure. the Plan provides a comprehensive strategy that addresses the following objectives:
• Strengthening and expanding environmental assets and addressing environmental problems in the City. • Providing solutions for blight elimination and vacant land management. • Balancing environmental protection with positive and impactful redevelopment projects. • Improving public health and quality of life in Gary.
Based on an existing conditions and property suitability analyses as well as existing and planned land uses and redevelopment projects, the team developed the Green Infrastructure Framework Map (see Figure 6-13) and Priority Project List which identify recommended green infrastructure strategies throughout the city. Some of these strategies include conservation corridors, stormwater parks, green buffer areas, wetland banks, rain gardens, bioswales, permeable paving, neighborhood pocket parks, urban agriculture, and green flex spaces.
Green infrastructure project
196 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan hazard mitigation planningwithin thecityandisincorporated by reference inthePlan. Repetitive Loss (SRL).The localadoptionofthisplanshallserveSevere astheimplementation program for thecoordination and ofthe (FMA), Assistance Mitigation Flood (PDM), Mitigation Pre-Disaster (HMGP), Program Grant Mitigation Hazard the under and/orgrantsreceive projectfor apply to order in requiredFEMA-approved is A MHMP 2000. of Act Mitigation county.the communitiesin other and preparedGary with partnership requirementin a Federalis Thethe MHMP of Disaster was and Agency Management Emergency & Security Homeland County Lake the by led effort planning multi-jurisdictional In December 2018, the Lake County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) was adopted. The Lake County MHMP Update is a LOCAL HAZARDMITIGATION surfaces withgreen infrastructure serves asacriticalstrategy for addressing itsstormwater problems. events with precipitation in severe increase the climate change, and the financial barriersproblems, to building more conventional flooding gray infrastructure, Gary’s retrofitting the of city’s impervious scale the Given strips.”* median vegetated planters, infiltration wetlands, pocket swales, vegetated gardens, rain trees, roofs, green stormwater,including reuse and Green stormwater infrastructure is defined as “planned systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to manage WHAT ISGREENINFRASTRUCTURE?
197 6. PLANNING FRAMEWORKS FIGURE 6-13. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FRAMEWORK
Source: Gary Green Infrastructure Plan 198 City of Gary Comprehensive Plan appendix A green infrastructure plan appendix B plan summaries