In Gary, the city says Mayor Eddie Melton has mobilized a massive public-private coalition to launch the 3rd Annual Demolition Blitz, a citywide campaign to eradicate blight and pave the way for neighborhood revitalization. The effort officially got underway with a news conference in the 600 block of Harrison Street Monday February 23, 2026. A news release said the initiative is “Powered by a volunteer army of local contractors—led by longtime partner Rieth-Riley Construction” and targets about 60 unsafe structures across five neighborhoods: Downtown, Emerson, Glen Park, Midtown, and Westside.
“This demolition blitz is doing more than removing eyesores; it is resetting the foundation of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Melton. “By clearing these blighted lots, we are removing safety hazards and signaling to residents and investors alike that Gary is ready for new growth. We are incredibly grateful to Jim Wiseman and all our volunteer partners who step up year after year to invest in our city’s future.”
Indiana U.S. Representative Frank J. Mrvan stated, “Thank you to Mayor Melton, all the officials with the City of Gary and the State of Indiana, as well as the leadership of Jim Wiseman, a lifelong supporter of the City of Gary, for bringing together contractors and volunteers to support this local initiative to eliminate blight, promote public safety, and enhance economic opportunities in our region.”
While the demolition occurs over several weeks, the City of Gary said it invests 10 months of strategic groundwork ahead of the blitz, including structural inspections, legal clearance, environmental abatements, and state-level coordination, a news release said.
“Our industry thrives on building things up, but sometimes you have to clear the way to make progress possible for our children’s future,” said Jim Wiseman of Rieth-Riley Construction, the lead partner for the initiative. “The spirit of collaboration among these contractors remains stronger than ever. We live and work in this region, and we’re proud to donate our resources to help the City of Gary move forward.” Here is a link for more details.
