Gary, IN

Gary has long been a city in decline in terms of population, available jobs and even local landmarks, but the recent economic downturn has left the city itself on the verge of collapse. In January 2009, Gary's mayor made a public plea for assistance, declaring that unless the city got relief, it would need to cut public services, including jobs that directly impact public security. As jobs have left Gary, buildings have been abandoned or torn down, giving the city the desolate look of a ghost town. Crime rates are also high. In 2007, there were 71 murders in the city; overall, Gary's crime rate is about double the average crime rate of other cities in the United States. Gary is home to approximately 99,000 residents.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

U.S. Steel has long been the major employer in Gary; however, the company has recently cut production and jobs and consolidated operations, including eliminating the majority of its contractors. Gary's other major employers include the Gary Public School System, Methodist Hospital Northlake, Trump Indiana, Majestic Star Casino and the U.S. Postal Service.

There are a few bright spots in Gary's future. Early in 2009, the city was given a $200,000 grant by the Environmental Protection Agency to train 75 people to do green jobs, such as adding rain gardens to city locations. Gary's riverboat casinos draw visitors to the region, as do its professional sports teams.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Aetna: This neighborhood borders the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and is characterized by its Art Deco architecture.
• Ambridge: Many of the houses here were built by the steel mills as worker housing, and the neighborhood features plenty of Prairie-style and Art Deco homes; unfortunately, Ambridge has one of the city's highest foreclosure ratings.
• Downtown: Some new office buildings have been built in Gary's downtown area in recent years, but many older buildings have been torn down or abandoned. Such blight exists side-by-side with historic buildings, including several designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
• Marshalltown: This publicly subsidized neighborhood is one of the newest in Gary.
• Miller: Once a town in its own right, the Miller neighborhood retains many buildings that predate its annexation by Gary.
• Tolleston: This neighborhood west of downtown is one of the oldest in Gary.

GETTING AROUND

Gary offers a public transportation system, which consists of three services:

• South Shore Line: This rail line is operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and offers service between South Bend and Chicago. It includes several stops in the Gary area.
• Gary Public Transportation System: GPTC is a system of public buses with routes to many areas throughout the city.
• Gary/Chicago International Airport: This transportation hub is undergoing a big expansion, largely because of its use as an auxiliary airport for Chicago, which is only 28 miles away.

BEST BETS

• Majestic Star I and Majestic Star II: Gary's lakefront has been considerably enhanced by the presence of these two gaming boats, which feature restaurants, offices and meeting spaces.
• Lake Michigan: There are three public beaches along Lake Michigan in Gary: Lake Street Beach, Marquette Park Beach and Wells Street Beach.
• Lake Etta County Park: Swimming, fishing, waterslides, playgrounds, paddle boats and hiking trails are offered.
• Tolleston Park Water Slide: One of the newest features of the Gary Park Department, this waterslide connects to an outdoor public swimming pool.
• Marquette Lagoon: This peaceful, outdoor setting in Marquette Park features two Japanese bridges and Charles Ramsey Island, which is in the middle of the lagoon.
• Indiana Dunes: State and national parks preserve this incredible natural feature; the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center offers programs for all ages.
• Bathing Beach Aquatorium: This 1921 bathhouse on Lake Michigan features a museum dedicated to Tuskegee Airmen.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Gary is home to two professional sports teams:

• Gary Steelheads: This professional basketball team, based at the Genesis Center, is part of the International Basketball League.
• Gary RailCats: This baseball team takes its name from the South Shore commuter line, which runs right next to its home park, U.S. Steel Field.

EVENTS

In addition to an August Jazz festival and Labor Day Blues Festival, Gary holds a variety of annual cultural events:

• Gospel Festival: The U.S. Steelyard Stadium hosts a gospel festival in June that features top gospel singers and groups.
• Independence Day Music Festival: Held in July, the Independence Day Music Festival treats patrons to two days of music and fun events, including fireworks.
• Gary Air Show: This free air show is held in mid-July in Marquette Park, and more than 20 acts entertain the crowd.

LOCAL MEDIA

Gary is serviced by three newspapers:

• Post-Tribune (based in Merrillville)
• The Times (based in Munster)
• The Gary Crusader

Gary also has the following local television stations:

• WPWR Channel 50 (Fox)
• WYIN Channel 56 (PBS)