Gary unveils proposal to become new home of Chicago Bears

GARY, Ind. (WNDU) - The City of Gary on Friday unveiled a comprehensive proposal to become the new home of the Chicago Bears.

The NFL franchise recently expanded its search for a new stadium site to include northwest Indiana.

Gary officials said the introduction of Senate Bill 27 in the Indiana General Assembly, which establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and would help the team finance a stadium, changes the landscape of Indiana’s bid for the Bears.

Three stadium sites proposed

The city’s detailed strategic plan includes three “Plug-and-Play” sites for a stadium that would be ready for immediate development by the new Stadium Authority. Those locations include the Gary West End Entertainment District adjacent to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Buffington Harbor and Miller Beach.

“A move to Gary isn’t just about a building; it’s about building a dynasty. There’s a reason we call this region Chicagoland,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton in a news release. “Gary is just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago — closer than Arlington Heights — minutes from the Gary Chicago International Airport and uniquely positioned with waterfront views straight to Chicago’s skyline.”

Melton said no other location offers the combination of proximity, identity alignment and visual connection to Chicago. He said Gary has support of local, county and state leaders, unlike Arlington Heights.

Mayor discusses conversations with Bears leadership

Melton said he has talked with Bears president and CEO Alex Warren about the potential stadium sites.

“I’ve had a couple of conversations with Mr. Warren, and just to share our interests and knowing that Gary, northwest Indiana and other locations were on their radar,” Melton said. “We’re just shooting our shot. We’re just trying to make sure that we’re in the conversation and let them know that we’re very serious.”

Transportation infrastructure highlighted

Melton said recent improvements to the city’s transportation infrastructure will allow Gary to adequately accommodate Bears fans from across the Midwest.

“We’re closer to downtown Chicago. I think the infrastructure that we already have in existence for fans, with the South Shore Rail Line coming into northwest Indiana, the investments we have around commuter transportation, the Gary Chicago International Airport, where individuals are coming into town to games, we have all of the pieces to the puzzle,” Melton said.

Economic development opportunity

Having already received billions of dollars in economic investment from Nippon Steel, FedEx and Hard Rock Casino, Melton said relocating the Bears to Gary will help the city take another step towards restoring its former glory.

“It’ll be a tremendous transformational project. We’re already on the right track, but something like this will be catalytic just for the entire northwest Indiana,” Melton said. “We want to make sure that there’s going to be growth for generations to come.”

The City of Gary, Indiana shared renderings of its “bold vision for a new Bears Stadium District” on a website called bearstadiumdistrict.com. The website also includes more details about the city’s proposal to bring the team to Indiana.

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