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Why Big Developers Can’t Save Gary, But Small Ones Can
- Cynthia Williams
- May 28, 2022
- 4 min read
Reflections on StartUP Gary’s Community Development Session — May 3, 2022
On May 3, 2022, StartUP Gary gathered community leaders, residents, and aspiring developers for a powerful session on Financing Incremental Development, a small-scale, community-led approach to neighborhood revitalization. The event served as both an education and a call-to-action: Gary’s comeback will not be handed to us; it will be built by us.
StartUP Gary, known for its dedication to economic empowerment and neighborhood reinvestment, used this gathering to highlight how local people can reclaim their blocks, restore housing, and create sustainable, long-term value for the city.
Why Incremental Development Matters
The heart of incremental development is rooted in the belief that revitalization happens from the inside out. Instead of relying on large, external developers to reshape the city, incremental development empowers:
Small developers
New investors
Local tradespeople
Neighborhood champions
Everyday residents who see possibility where others see decline
It prioritizes steady, ongoing reinvestment, not massive, one-time projects. It focuses on filling in empty lots, restoring historic homes, rebuilding walkable corridors, and ensuring development aligns with the needs and identity of Gary’s people.
This approach builds confidence, restores dignity, and sparks momentum that spreads from block to block.
“No one is coming to do this for us.”
The State of Housing in Gary: A City Ready for Renewal
Much of Gary’s housing stock was built in the mid-20th century, rich in character but deeply aged. Many homes have remained vacant or underutilized for years. At the same time, significant demolition efforts have cleared numerous abandoned structures, leaving behind a landscape of opportunity.
This creates the perfect environment for:
Housing infill
Small-scale new construction
Modern versions of classic Gary architecture
Mixed-income housing that rebuilds neighborhood diversity
Developer pathways that create new comps and increase values
Gary’s bones are strong. Its neighborhoods have walkable grids, spacious lots, and architectural charm. What they need now is local hands ready to rebuild them.
Why Gary Is Uniquely Positioned for Incremental Development
StartUP Gary emphasized that the city’s unique mix of challenges and opportunities makes it ideal for this approach:
Affordable acquisition costs
Established infrastructure
Strong neighborhood identities
Plentiful vacant land ready for redevelopment
High community interest in rebuilding rather than relocating
The city’s history of disinvestment has created space for local innovation. And because residents know their blocks intimately, they are uniquely suited to identify undervalued assets and untapped potential.
“Farming” Neighborhoods: A Practical Strategy for Local Developers
One of the most actionable ideas discussed was neighborhood farming — a method used by small developers to focus on one defined area and strategically rebuild it over time. This includes:
Mapping clusters of vacant lots or distressed homes
Choosing walkable, high-visibility corridors or nodes
Planning cohesive infill, rehabs, or mixed-use spaces
Developing multiple small projects that collectively raise values
By concentrating efforts in targeted zones, local developers can create new comparable sales, improve appraisals, and boost overall neighborhood stability.
A Vision for Gary’s Future
The long-term vision shared on May 3 was vivid and inspiring: a Gary where newly built energy-efficient homes sit beside beautifully restored bungalows and Craftsman-style houses. Where front porches are active again. Where neighbors speak across lawns and take pride in their blocks. Where corner lots host small businesses, and commercial corridors buzz with renewed activity. This vision isn’t speculative, it’s attainable. And most importantly, it centers local people as the drivers of change.
Challenges We Must Confront
StartUP Gary outlined the challenges that stand in the way of this transformation:
Lack of neighborhood comps
Limited lender products for small-scale development
Historical redlining and market hesitancy
Perceived risks for first-time developers
Need for technical assistance and training
These challenges are real but they are not insurmountable. Every city that has successfully rebuilt itself has faced these same obstacles. The difference-maker is a coordinated ecosystem of support.
The Impact We Can Create
When incremental development takes root, the outcomes are transformative:
New housing inventory across multiple price points
Stronger property values and tax revenues
Increased homeownership and generational wealth
Reduced blight and improved aesthetics
More stable, diverse, walkable neighborhoods
Local businesses activated along key corridors
A stronger sense of place and community pride
This is the future Gary Townmakers, StartUP Gary, and local leaders are working to build.
What Comes Next: Building the Developer Ecosystem
StartUP Gary reinforced a major goal: creating a pipeline of skilled small developers trained to lead this work. That means:
Providing hands-on education
Offering technical assistance and mentorship
Connecting developers to financing opportunities
Supporting neighborhood-level planning
Hosting housing and development conferences
Acting as a liaison between the city, lenders, and emerging developers
With the right ecosystem, Gary can cultivate dozens even hundreds of local developers who rebuild their own blocks.
A Call to Action
The May 3, 2022 session left the room with two powerful questions:
What role will YOU play in Gary’s redevelopment ecosystem?And how can you support the movement to rebuild our city from within?
Gary doesn’t need to wait for outside miracles. Gary doesn’t need to be saved. Gary needs its people its visionaries, builders, investors, neighbors, and leaders to step into their power.
