Gary, Indiana Installs Green Infrastructure to Revitalize Blighted Areas, Manage Stormwater

The City of Gary initiated the “Vacant to Vibrant” project in 2014, which aimed to mitigate flooding due to aging sewer system. The project completed the construction of three sites in the Aetna neighborhood by 2016, converting 0.37 acres of vacant land into green infrastructure featuring bat houses, rain gardens, and native plantings. Each green infrastructure installation cost $18,000, including labor and materials. Gary received funding from the Cleveland Botanical Garden, USEPA’s Technical Assistance Program, Indiana University Northwest and Strong Cities, Strong Communities. These grant funding supported infrastructure development, community engagement, overhead and ongoing scientific monitoring.