This LAB unpacked the steps required to safely buy, sell, inherit, or invest in a city where off‑market deals, heirs’ property, and environmental concerns are part of the landscape.

On a crisp December evening, the Gary Townmakers community gathered to tackle one of the city’s most significant opportunities: Vacant Land. If you missed the workshop, here is a breakdown of the strategies, tools, and pathways discussed to help you research, access, and redevelop parcels in Gary.

The City of Gary has officially released its September 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update , a roadmap designed to guide the city’s long-term transformation over the next decade. While building on the foundation of previous planning efforts, this update marks a pivotal shift in strategy. It moves beyond high-level visioning to offer concrete steps for stabilizing neighborhoods, growing the population, and building generational wealth . If you are wondering what is in the new plan

A November 4, 2025, Bloomberg article entitled, "Can Anyone Save Gary Indiana?", frames Gary’s revival around thoughtful growth, small-developer empowerment, adaptive reuse, narrative change, and community-rooted planning.

At a recent meetup of the Gary Townmakers, participants engaged in a discussion about challenges Gary residents have with accessing fresh, healthy food. This issue was raised in light of recent, temporary health department closures of local food establishments, and the transportation issues some residents face in seeking out better food choices.

According to NIRPC’s NWI 2050+ housing plan, Northwest Indiana is projected to gain 115,000 new residents over the next 25 years, requiring 50,000 additional housing units across Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.  These priorities directly align with Gary’s current challenges and opportunities.