GARY, Ind. (WLS) — If it were not for their location, the construction of a brand new housing development might not garner that much attention. In Gary, Indiana, the news is significant.

It represents just one more in a series of steps the city is taking to bring Gary back to life.

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Breaking ground on a former public housing project once known as Colonial Gardens, community leaders came together on Gary’s East Side Thursday to celebrate what will, when it’s complete, be the city’s first large-scale gated community in decades.

“Gary is very land rich. So, we’re looking for developers to come in, develop housing, bring their business into the city, as well. This is one of the projects,” 6th District Councilman Dwight Williams said.

When complete, a now near-empty plot of land will house over 100 new affordable homes, with 14 still-standing properties to receive a gut rehab. The community will include amenities not usually seen in Gary, like a gym and a day care center.

“The census count has gone down. You have a lot of demolition going on. Now is an opportunity to bring back, to bring people back into the city,” said Anthony Disco, construction manager for JMD.

Developer Chris Lewis said his aim it to create a community like the ones previous generations experienced.

“Everybody knew each other. Everybody felt comfortable with each other. Nobody felt threatened by the next-door neighbor,” said Lewis, owner of Lewis Estates and Townhomes.

According to census numbers, Gary has lost more than 100,000 people since its peak in 1960. The city has become known for its dilapidated buildings, closed storefronts and empty lots.

Recently though, a push to change that has taken hold. Three months ago, Mayor Eddie Melton announced a plan in partnership with Notre Dame to revitalize Gary’s downtown area.

Remediation of many blighted buildings is already taking place. Initial funding for the project has come in part from the state, but also from Gary’s Hard Rock Casino, which has been named as the site of a new Lake County convention center.

The construction of new housing projects goes hand-in-hand with the city’s vision for its future.

“We need to rebrand and remarket the city to attract individuals to come back into the city. We’re looking for old residents to come back, and we’re looking for new residents to come into the city,” Williams said.

The first homes are expected to be ready for move in in the spring of 2026, with the entire community completed by 2027.