Frank Mrvan, Jr., l-r, Jerome Prince, and Brian Evans
Rep. Mrvan delivers $6.7 million community development dollars to Gary
Contributed By:The 411 News
Funds for sewers, police, airport, and connecting communities
Almost $7 million dollars in federal funds are coming to Gary for sewer, police, airport, and community connections, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, Jr. said at Wednesday's press conference with Gary's Mayor Jerome Prince.
The Gary Police Department received $500,000 in community project funding for technology upgrades. Police Chief Brian Evans said the funds coming to his department will enhance and expand on technology purchases made last year -- license plate readers, camera pods, and body cameras.
The license plate readers have been "game changers" Chief Evans said. Since October 2021, they helped in the recovery of 110 stolen vehicles and assisted in 4 homicides.
The department aims to upgrade mobile data terminals in each police vehicle and provide each officer with a personal laptop. "We want to give each officer a laptop that will be theirs from the time they're sworn in and carry it throughout their career.
Upgrading the devices, Chief Evans said, will bring police accountability and more safety for citizens.
The Marquette Greenway Trail received $682,000 to support Gary’s efforts to address the gap in the Marquette Greenway Trail, from Bridge Street west to the Gary/Hammond border along Cline Avenue.
The Marquette Greenway is a planned 60-mile regional trail extending from the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago, down through the southern tip of the lake in Northwest Indiana, and ending in New Buffalo, Michigan. It is designed to give bicyclists more opportunities for connectivity to communities along the trail.
The Gary/Chicago International Airport received $2,000,000 in funding to purchase snow removal equipment and emergency services vehicles.
The Gary Sanitary District received $3,500,000 in community project funding to address water quality, sanitary sewer, and storm water infrastructure improvements. The sanitary district also serves Lake Station, Hobart, and Merrillville.
The sanitary district's sewer force main will be increased from 42 inches to 48 inches to capture more storm water and sewage so that wastes will flow into the district's water treatment plant instead of overflowing into the Little Calumet River.
Mayor Prince said that overflow ultimately goes into Lake Michigan where it can contaminate the only source of fresh drinking water.
Rep. Mrvan said the improvements will lead to less flooding, paving the way for future commercial and residential development.
These dollars are not just big checks, Rep. Marvan said. "I'm bringing hope and prioritization for economic development, a clean environment, and public safety; to make sure we work together to invest in ourselves and in the future."
Story Posted:04/23/2022
|
