With a decrepit house that had been vacant for three years demolished, the lot on Broadway Street across from the Roberto Clemente Community Center now is available for redevelopment.
Mayor Anthony Copeland and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann were on hand Friday for ceremonies prior to the demolition. Copeland said the lot at 1913 Broadway St. could house retail and other businesses that would help revitalize the city.
The demolition was paid for with a $1.5 million grant from Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination program. Copeland said the funds will be used to get rid of 62 decaying structures across the city, with the Indiana Harbor neighborhood a special focus.
East Chicago, Gary and Hammond received money from the program, although Elspermann said some $75 million was distributed to communities in every part of Indiana to help demolish structures that are not usable and negatively affecting property values for surrounding areas.
New construction will take their place. Copeland said that among new businesses coming to the Indiana Harbor neighborhood will be a pharmacy and an office building. Negotiations for other businesses are still underway.
The intent is to provide about 15,000 square feet of new office space for businesses in the district around Main and Broadway streets, he said..
When acceptable businesses cannot be found, the newly-vacant lots will be turned by the city’s Redevelopment Commission into green spaces.
“I believe the eye will accept green before it will accept grey,” the mayor said.
Copeland said he was pleased that Ellspermann – “a friend” to East Chicago – was supportive of his plans in the face of skepticism by others.
. “Not all people can buy into the vision I have,” he said. “Some won’t see it until everything is complete and they can walk into the front door.”
The grant is a one-time thing, with Ellspermann saying money was available because of a $221.7 million grant to Indiana from the U.S. Treasury to support urban renewal efforts – with $75 million being allocated for the Blight Elimination program.
“Through Indiana’s efforts, neighborhoods like East Chicago that have experienced the negative effects of vacant and blighted properties will soon see the benefit of these federal funds,” said Mark McArdle, U.S. Treasury chief of the homeownership preservation office.
“We are proud to continue to work with the leadership of Indiana in their efforts to revitalize and stabilize hard-hit communities,” McArdle said in a prepared statement.
Gregory Tejeda is a freelance reporter
