EAST CHICAGO YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR EAST CHICAGO NEWS AND EVENTS life “From art in the trees to fall’s changing leaves, East Chicago is bursting with autumnal color” The seasons may be changing but don’t let the calendar fool you: There is still plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors right here in East Chicago. From the lakefront to the Grand Calumet, we are blessed with a city that is easy to navigate – by foot, car or bus. Did you know East DEPARTMENTS Chicago is one of two free fixed-route FEATURED and Paratransit systems in Indiana? IN THIS ISSUE ... MAGIC IN OUR TREES ... Parks & Recreation When our gigantic ash trees fell Mayra Acosta victim to the emerald ash borer, we Director were given one option – to cut them (219) 391-8474 down. We decided to go in another direction – to offer up dead trees to Redevelopment talented sculptors. With that, “Art Frank Rivera in the Parks” was born. I’ve watched Director the progress, thrilled to see a return (219) 391-8513 of public art to the city. These unique A FEW REMINDERS ... sculptures will grace Washington As you dive deep into autumn, please Sanitary District Park for years to come. The best part take the time to check out this issue Joe Wright of it all: this is just the beginning. of East Chicago Life and some of the Utilities Technician programs we have for homeowners (219) 391-8466 UNITY CENTER ... and homebuyers. Whether you A year after we began, Unity Center is need to upgrade and protect your Transportation open! This is a community recreation home or build anew, these programs Francisco Rosado Jr. facility that offers something for provide education as well as financial Director everyone right in the heart of the resources with you in mind. (219) 391-8465 North Harbor revitalization district. If you haven’t already, please take a Utilities tour and discover the spaces that have Abderrahman been created for individual, senior and Zehraoui Ph.D. group fitness, sports, arts and crafts, Director of Utilities even social activities like bingo, card ANTHONY COPELAND (219) 391-8466 games and English classes. Mayor City of East Chicago EASTCHICAGO.COM OCTOBER 2018 REDEVELOPMENT BEFORE AFTER East Chicago’s Sunnyside program offers up to $80,000 per duplex for homeowners who want to improve their homes. Redevelopment Director Frank Rivera said the program has become more than simply a new street-side look. “Facade improvements are all about making a house feel welcoming.” So far this year, six individuals have taken the city up on its offer to help pay for improvements, which can include new siding, windows, doors, insulation, roofing, soffit, fascia, gutters, stoops and railings. [East Chicago Redevelopment Department photos] CITY HELPS HOMEOWNERS DREAMS COME TRUE Sunnyside is getting spruced up – one home at a time. HOMEBUYERS WORKSHOP A century after Inland Steel con- Dream of owning a home? Learn more structed 100 duplexes for 200 at an upcoming workshop facilitated workers and their families in by Pam Stalling of the Northwest northeast East Chicago, the city Indiana Reinvestment Alliance. is providing incentives for home- owners who want to upgrade the WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 20, look and feel of their dwellings. November 10 or December 8 The Sunnyside facade program WHERE: Locations vary offers up to $80,000 per duplex or REGISTRATION: Please call (219) 391-8513 for mandatory $40,000 for each qualifying home- registration. Workshops are $27 for East Chicago residents and owner. The citywide rehabilitation $127 for nonresidents. Payment is due at the time of registration program also offers assistance in the form of a cashiers check or money order only. through its grant program. So far this year, 12 individuals have taken the city up on its offer to help pay for facade improve- year forgivable loans to qualify- totaling $240,000 has helped 23 ments, which can include new ing homeowners looking to make families become first-time home- siding, windows, doors, insula- improvements. “Our residents love buyers with real estate prices that tion, roofing, soffit, fascia, gutters, coming home,” Redevelopment vary from $45,000 to $150,000. stoops and railings. Director Frank Rivera said. “Homeownership is good for our The Department of Redevelop- In addition to the facade programs, community,” Rivera said. “We pro- ment utilizes federal Housing East Chicago offers two homebuy- vide the educational and financial and Urban Development funds to er assistance programs. Just this assistance to help people live the finance up to $40,000 in seven- year, redevelopment assistance American dream.” l PAGE 2 | OCTOBER 2018 EASTCHICAGO.COM BUS TRANSIT East Chicago native Luis Roman depends on East Chicago’s Paratransit bus service to get around town and to appointments. “I am fortunate to live in an area served by East Chicago Paratransit. It gives me independence,” Roman said. ECT has been providing free Paratransit since 1997 for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use ECT fixed routes. [Marcia Johnson photos] BUS TRANSIT HELPING RESIDENTS GET AROUND Luis Roman has been using East and Paratransit services to more ABOUT THE SERVICE Chicago Complimentary Paratran- than 100,000 passengers per year. East Chicago Transit (ECT) sit buses since the service was es- “We have an incredible team,” provides free fixed-route bus tablished more than 20 years ago. Rosado said. “It is a special person service and Complimentary The East Chicago native who lives who thrives on helping people and Paratransit for individuals near the city’s western border isn’t we have been fortunate to culti- with disabilities who qualify sure what he would do without it. vate an entire department that for the service. loves doing just that.” “This city service allows me to Hours of Operation: keep my independence despite my Roman agrees wholeheartedly. Monday through Friday disability,” he said. “This makes “I am completely blind. When I 5:55 a.m. - 8:44 p.m. it so I can be like anybody else. I need help finding my way, the Saturday come and go as I please.” Paratransit drivers are always 9 a.m. - 4:31 p.m. happy to help,” he said. Transit Director Francisco Rosado INFO: Complete bus routes, Jr. is proud when he hears about “I taught my son, who has normal maps, Paratransit applications, the popularity of the 46-year- vision, how to use the fixed-route and more, visit eastchicago. old transit service – one of only system. They were just as wonderful com, click on departments and two municipal transit services in to us. We are lucky to have to have navigate to bus transit or call Indiana that offers free fixed-route this bus service in East Chicago.” l (219) 391-8465. DID YOU KNOW? East Chicago is one of two municipalities in the state that offers free fixed-route and Paratransit service. EASTCHICAGO.COM OCTOBER 2018 | PAGE 3 PARKS & RECREATION ART IN THE PARKS ... Artist: Justus Gillette Roe III Name of Piece: Civic Inland Spire Armor (CISA) Location: Washington Park Inspiration: The people and the history of East Chicago inspired this piece. “It is an abstract interpretation of the interplay between spires created by industry and local communities,” Roe said. “It is also an acknowledgement to the many influential graffiti artists from East Chicago. Their advanced wild style aesthetics have been an inspiration to many artists across the Midwest and beyond.” ... AND THE TREES Artist: Anthony Heinz May When others saw a sawdust future for Name of Piece: the dead and dying trees in Washington Transcybertariatism Park, East Chicago Mayor Anthony Location: Copeland had a vision the towering ash Washington Park could be transformed. Inspiration: Instead of cutting down the once- May used a variety mighty ash, he reasoned that in the of loaned saws and a hands of skilled artists, sculptures boom truck to create a would emerge from the trees that digitized creation that could be enjoyed for years to come. explores the evolving Already, two of five artists have finished relationship between their creations. The city worked in nature, human beings partnership with Chicago Sculpture and technology. International, interviewing artists in “I hope this inspires that project to choose those who would visitors to explore their launch a similar effort here. relationship with the world around them, in a tech-heavy world,” the New York resident said. Coming in November ... “I hope it encourages Four new metal sculptures will be thought about planting added to the three already on display and preserving trees in city parks. The artwork will be on rather than cutting display through August 2019. them down.” PAGE 4 | OCTOBER 2018 EASTCHICAGO.COM SANITARY DISTRICT IS YOUR HOME FLOOD PROOF? ART IN THE PARKS ... Here are four common roof drainage issues that contribute to basement flooding. Downspouts Lack of gutters along that drain 1 bottom edge of roof. directly into the sanitary Downspouts that drain sewer line. 3 straight down and not away from the house. 2 Grading in the yard 4 that directs water to your house. EAST CHICAGO SANITARY SEWER LINE FLOOD PREVENTION: Did you know downspouts connected directly to the city system is like pouring 10 bathtubs full of extra water into the city system, which can cause flooding in your home? East Chicago started a Downspout Connection Awareness Program in 2014 to assist 1,150 homeowners with illegal downspouts. The city will reimburse homeowners – up to $100 including labor and materials – to get them fixed. INFO: For more information on how the city can help, please call the East Chicago Sanitary District at (219)391-8466.