Gary eyeing unused U.S. Steel property for business park
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The city of Gary is looking to make use of what is currently unused land owned by U.S. Steel. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the city has a particular interest in developing a new business park near Buffington Harbor.
Mayor Eddie Melton told the publication he recently approached the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker about donating land to the city for the project.
He said he’s paying close attention to the proposed $14.1 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel.
“We’re watching to see how that will turn out and make sure Gary is part of that conversation,” Melton told The Times. “When I looked at the economic growth that took place in Pittsburgh, they donated and gifted land over to the city of Pittsburgh for economic growth and opportunity. I’ve started engaging in those conversations with them.”
U.S. Steel has about 500 acres of land near Buffington Harbor that is currently has nothing but a large pile of industrial waste known as slag, which would require environmental remediation before any development takes place.
Melton said the site is a prime location for an industrial park.
“It’s right there by three Class 1 rail lines: Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and CSX. It’s right across from the Gary/Chicago International Airport. Northwest Indiana can and should be a logistics capital,” Melton said. “If we can maximize those environmentally contaminated parcels, we’ll be in a very strong position.”
The mayor noted that such a development could increase the city’s tax base, create jobs and provide a greater footprint in transportation, logistics and manufacturing.
You can read the full story from Joseph S. Pete at The Times of Northwest Indiana by clicking here.