Before he came into office, Mayor Eddie Melton’s goal was to make Gary the “safest, cleanest and most resilient” city in the region.
During his State of the City address Tuesday, Melton explained how he thinks he’s made strides towards that.
“We’re enhancing the quality of life for residents and growing economic opportunities for all,” Melton said. “That’s something I’m very proud of because of the work that we’ve been doing collectively, as a team throughout this entire administration.”
Melton gave his third State of the City address at Embassies of Christ Church in Gary on Tuesday afternoon. He presented highlights for the city in the past year, including lower crime rates, blight elimination and work towards increasing economic development.
Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, introduced Melton on Tuesday. Mrvan said he’s proud to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Melton as they work to improve Gary’s quality of life.
“Gary has the right leader at the right time,” Mrvan said. “He is aggressively tackling blight, partnering across every level of government and working with businesses to strengthen neighborhoods and our pride of this city.”
Gary Common Council President Linda Barnes Caldwell, D-5th, also talked at Tuesday’s State of the City address, saying the city has made meaningful progress in the past year. A shared commitment between all areas of government, including the council, leads to progress in the city.
“We are your voice, your advocate and your partners in progress,” Barnes Caldwell said. “Every ordinance we pass, every budget we review, and every decision we make is rooted in one purpose: improving the quality of life for the residents of Gary.”
On Tuesday, Melton said the city’s homicide rates are the lowest in 50 to 60 years. Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon said the department also has an 82% closure rate for homicides, and they’ve seen “significant decreases” in homicides each year.
According to Gary’s 2025 Public Safety Report, the city’s homicide rate is its lowest since 1970, and fatal shootings decreased from 133 incidents in 2024 to 101 in 2025, which is a 24% decrease. Gary had 28 homicides in 2025, which is a 30% reduction from 40 in 2024.
The city is also improving its animal shelter, Cannon said, with plans to build a $1.4 million facility at 950 Jefferson Street. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana donated $500,000 towards the construction, and the city is using $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and remaining funds from Gary community development and animal shelter allocations to pay for the project.
“This right here is an indication of where the area is going because of how we treat every population in our city,” Cannon said.
Gary Fire Chief Larry Tillman also told attendees Tuesday that public safety has improved from the fire department’s point of view. The city had one drowning after patrol hours at Miller Beach, but they had none during patrol hours.
The fire department also did 199 building inspections, and the city has seen eight adult deaths from fires. Tillman encouraged attendees to participate in a city program that allows them to test smoke detectors for free in their homes.
In the past year, Melton said his administration has prioritized blight elimination, updating structures and improving economic development in the city. They have a citywide demolition plan, Melton said, which has about $24.7 million in funds to demolish abandoned schools, residences and commercial structures.
The administration continues to work with the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture to eliminate blight in the city and repurpose facilities, Melton said.
Melton announced that the city plans to raze multiple properties to make way for development, including the Genesis Convention Center, City Methodist Church, Mecca building and former H. Gordon and Sons Department Store. The city has received multiple bids for development at the Genesis center, but the city will have to demolish the structure and parking garage.
City leadership tried to save the historic church, Melton said, but it’s too much of a safety risk. Melton said they will try to save some aspects of the building as the city works to place new development in the area.
“These structures have been dangerous to the community,” Melton said. “I know the history. … However, we have to make way for the future.”
Gary leadership has also continued to reevaluate the future of the abandoned Roosevelt High School, Melton said. They’ve worked with the Roosevelt Alumni Association to figure out the best path forward.
The city is renovating the Hudson Campbell Sports and Fitness Center to make room for the Gary Health Department. Gary received about $5 million in READI grants for the construction.
Gary also wants to build a $25 million public safety facility downtown across from the Adam Benjamin Jr. Metro Center, Melton said. City leadership are working with state of Indiana leadership for funding for the facility.
The Lake County Convention Center was another highlight for Melton in his State of the City address. Gary won the county bid for a convention center with Hard Rock in May 2025. Design work begins in June, Melton said, and they expect construction to be complete in 2029.
Gary’s progress wouldn’t happen without community partners, Melton said, adding that he wants the highlights of 2025 to encourage everyone to create “a greater Gary.”
“There’s no reason why this shouldn’t inspire us all to figure out what role we can individually or collectively play to transform here,” Melton said. “I believe the state of the city of Gary is strong and vibrant.”
