East Chicago City Council Approves Rezoning Ordinance for USS Lead Site

The East Chicago City Council approved an ordinance that officially rezones the former West Calumet housing complex from residential to a light industrial classification(M-1).  This action clears the path for Industrial Development Advantage(IDA) to purchase the property from the East Chicago Housing Authority.  IDA will take responsibility for the land, remediation and future development planned to be a state of the art distribution facility.  In addition to the Housing Authorities’ revenue from the sale price of 2.1 million dollars, the estimated 75 million dollar project will create 400 to 900 new full time jobs.  This is widely expected to be a catalyst to spur additional economic and new housing option activity.  3rd District Councilman Terry Hill publicly thanked all of his colleagues for supporting the measure and offered encouraging words to the future of his district.    Hill stated “This will benefit the entire city. Residents will be happy with our council!”.