Blight Blitz Press Conference

The City of Gary held a press conference on February 24, 2026, to announce the continuation and expansion of its Blight Blitz initiative aimed at demolishing unsafe and abandoned structures across the city. Mayor Eddie Melton and other city officials highlighted the strategic use of approximately $20 million in combined funding from city, county, state, and federal sources, including $6 million from Indiana's Senate Bill 434 and HUD funds, to address nearly 7,000 blighted properties. The initiative targets five neighborhoods and involves multiple contractors such as Rereath Riley Construction, Cassie Construction, and others. The effort is part of a broader redevelopment plan to improve safety, increase property values, and stimulate economic growth, with ongoing collaboration among government leaders, private contractors, and community partners. The meeting also featured acknowledgments of key personnel and partners, underscoring the complexity of demolition work and the importance of public-private partnerships in revitalizing Gary.