Hispanic Mayor George Pabey Implements Bold Revitalization Initiative in East Chicago – Keys to Aggressive Leader’s Plans are Economic Development, Safe Neighborhoods and Schools

There’s a new sheriff in town. Well, not really, but he was the former Chief of Police and he’s completely dedicated to improving the quality of life for the community of East Chicago and its residents.

Mayor George Pabey is on an aggressive mission to rebuild his city, community, neighborhoods and the employment business base throughout East Chicago. And he’s not just talking – the Mayor himself is reaching out to businesses to reinvest in East Chicago, offering affordable land cost, connectivity to Chicago and the entire Midwest, a major port, rail and interstate transportation, and a ready, willing and eager workforce.

This is no ordinary mayor. Mayor Pabey understands the problems that exist in East Chicago but he is on a mission to change this community. Following other state leadership, Mayor Pabey doesn’t just sit in his office, but has personally approached business opportunities wherever he needs to travel, realizing that sometimes you have to find business because it’s simply not just going to find you.

There are people that see East Chicago as a city of despair and simply are not motivated to even try and affect change. This Mayor sees opportunity and he is actively selling it. He already has interested business prospects, and has improved some of the city’s infrastructure for redevelopment of a new living and business district.

“Our strategy is simple yet effective,” said Mayor Pabey. “We are determined to keep East Chicago working cohesively with business and the community to revitalize the city. We have experienced a great deal of success in a short period of time by maximizing resources and giving the city back to the residents.”

A key focus area under Mayor Pabey’s revitalization efforts is improving neighborhoods and schools. Mayor Pabey understands that with the right efforts and determination neighborhoods can be rebuilt, with Chicago as a perfect model and example of how blighted neighborhoods can be successfully revitalized. His priorities include eliminating crime-controlled areas and replacing them with affordable, quality homes and businesses that become safe new neighborhoods.

This is more than just talk with Mayor Pabey, who has already undertaken new infrastructure to develop the North Harbor community with residential and retail that has a master plan that will extend all the way to the lakeshore. The Mayor spoke during a recent Revitalization Kick-off Event at the corner of Main and Broadway, alongside workers building the foundations of townhomes that are part of a new mixed use development being built by The Community Builders. Mayor Pabey’s plans for entire community revitalization will include improved schools, greenspace, trails, a new police substation and a retail district that will stretch to the lakefront.

The Mayor is committed to not only redefining neighborhoods, but also to bringing a safe educational experience back to East Chicago. He and numerous public officials recently welcomed Dr. James P. Comer, Child Psychiatrist at the Yale University School of Medicine’s Child Study Center, Founder of the Comer School Development Program and East Chicago native, back to the City of East Chicago to discuss the improvement of education throughout East Chicago.

The City of East Chicago will possibly serve as one of the first school corporations in Indiana in the program, which promotes the collaboration of parents, educators and community to improve social, emotional and academic outcomes for children that helps them achieve greater school success.

The Mayor also supports the arts and their positive impact on educational success, which is why the City of East Chicago and Carnegie Performing Arts Association have partnered to renovate the old Carnegie library into a state-of-the-art performing arts center offering art education, gallery exhibits, dance, music and theater to residents of East Chicago and surrounding communities.

Mayor Pabey realizes these plans are ambitious and there are many people focused on an old East Chicago, but this is one Mayor that doesn’t want to ponder the past. Mayor Pabey’s focus is on the future, and he will make every effort within his abilities to make a better East Chicago a reality, actively promoting his “bold vision for a bright future.”

“We understand change is necessary in order to make East Chicago a great place to work, play and live again,” said Mayor Pabey. “We are committed to making this community reach its full potential by stimulating our residents and engaging businesses to invest in East Chicago.”

The Mayor recognizes that part of East Chicago will always be heavy industry, but there are other sectors that are ripe for new business and modern urban redevelopment. Also with affordable land cost and transportation connectivity, East Chicago is a perfect location for rebuilding its manufacturing and industrial business base.

To help East Chicago residents not only find jobs but careers, Mayor Pabey developed the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Program. This initiative provides career-oriented training and referrals through partnerships between the City and area businesses, industry and educational institutions. The JET program has given approximately 300 residents increased earning potential since its conception in 2006.

Recent economic development successes are already beginning to show change. One example is the new Strack and Van Til grocery store on the south side of East Chicago with discussion of another on the way. Another outcome of successful urban and business redevelopment will be maximizing the potential for an emerging lakefront district and long-term connectivity to a Marquette Plan project at Lake Michigan.

“Along Main Street & Broadway, the Core of Indiana Harbor,” said Pabey, “we are building new retail and housing, and constructing community parks (Nunez and Callahan) with new athletic fields, playground equipment and concert stages, including a park campus that connects Lincoln Elementary to the Roberto Clemente Community Center, making the center easily accessible to the school and community.”

Mayor Pabey has made it his mission to make East Chicago a better community for its citizens. He actively is seeking change in living conditions, inviting new business and improving schools. He has a master plan for better neighborhoods and a better East Chicago, and he’s working it!

About the City of East Chicago:

Under the leadership and vision of Mayor George Pabey, the City of East Chicago is aggressively undertaking total community revitalization, focusing on rebuilding neighborhoods, improving education, creating jobs and developing an attractive pro-business environment. East Chicago has all the amenities to make this initiative successful, including a perfect Midwestern location, affordable land and development cost, a remarkable proximity to major ports, public and business rail transportation, and access to major interstate thoroughfares. East Chicago is a bridge to everywhere! For more information, visit www.EastChicago.com.

Master Plan images and interview are available upon request, by contacting Jamie Witt at (317) 873-6655 x 105 or jwitt@MB2Advertising.com.”

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