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Indiana University Northwest

Gary Indiana - University Park

The Public Process

The City of Gary initiated the University Park Concept Plan process by asking for proposals from nationally recognized planning consultants on how they would create a plan for University Park.

A team led by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP was selected to help direct the effort. Arthur Andersen provided the market analysis and Indiana Lakeshore facilitated the community participation.

The City of Gary also led the formation of a Task Force to oversee the development of the plan. The Task Force included representatives of community organizations, Glen Park Merchants Association, local educational institutions and City of Gary agencies.

The Task Force met each month from December 2001 through May of 2002 to review the development of the plan and to direct the community input process.

A total of three community meetings were held during the process. Before each community meeting an effort was put forth to inform the glen park residents, political representatives, institutional leaders, business owners, and others affected by the potential redevelopment of the neighborhood. The presentations were advertised with flyers dispensed throughout the neighborhood. Citywide advertising occurred through the local newspaper and local radio stations.

During each community presentation, questions and comments from the community were both encouraged and recorded. In many cases the community comments directed the focus of the following task force meetings while also setting the direction of the concept plan.

The following steps were taken in the development of the plan:

  • An economic market analysis
  • A survey of physical conditions
  • Creation of a vision and planning principles that would guide recommendation
  • Creation and refinement of concepts for University Park

This is also how this planning report is organized. Three community workshops were held. The first presented a summary of market and physical conditions. The second presented the concepts for University Park, and involved more direct community input. The third presented refined concepts and implementation strategies.