Preparing for a large demolition project in downtown Gary, the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is seeking help with the project.
The RDA issued a Request for Qualifications this week, asking for proposals from firms or teams qualified to help the RDA with the demolition project.
The help would include “procurement of demolition services, contract administration, property management, demolition oversight, environmental oversight and site clearance,” the RDA’s request said.
Proposals must be submitted by May 6, and a selection is to be made a week later.
The RDA will work with the city of Gary on the demolition project in Gary’s transit development district (TDD), which covers 315.5 acres along Broadway and Fifth Avenue.
The demolition would clear the way for new development in the TDD.
“We want to help make Gary a success,” said David Wellman, the RDA’s director of communications. “They have a vision for what they want their downtown to look like.”
He did not have a number for how many buildings would be targeted for demolition, adding that the RDA has been working with the city to identify and prioritize properties for the project.
The RDA and the city will have $6 million for demolition project this year and another potential $6 million next year.
The first year’s demolition fund includes $3 million from the state and $3 million from Gary, provided this year by the operators of Gary’s Hard Rock Casino.
The state will provide $3 million again next year if Gary comes up with another matching amount.
One focus of Gary’s TDD, established last year by the RDA and the state, is the Gary Metro Center, which includes a South Shore Line station as well as a bus station.
Replacing the Metro Center has been another part of the state-funded effort.
Legislation passed last year by the Indiana General Assembly calls for setting up a seven-member board to run that project.
The board would include three members from the RDA, three from Gary and one appointed by the governor.
Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
