5th AVENUE STREETSCAPING - SPORTS DISTRICT

THE 5th AVENUE SPORTS DISTRICT In 2004, over 250,000 sports fans visited downtown Gary. Its two venues - the Genesis Convention Center and the U.S. Steel Yard - have proved to be strong entertainment magnets, drawing people from throughout the Region. As development occurs along the corridor, these fans will find more to offer, including restaurants and other retail. They will also find neighbors, as the Sports District is within walking distance of three significant new housing developments that will bring more than 200 new housing units to the City's center. The Gary Steelheads, a basketball team in the Continental Basketball Association, plays in the Genesis Convention Center. This facility is decades old, but has seen major redesign due in large part to the basketball team. This redesign has resulted in a higher demand for other events at the Genesis Center as well.

The Gary SouthShore RailCats, a minor league baseball team of the independent Northern League, plays 48 home games at the United States Steel Yard, a beautiful stadium at 5th Avenue and Pennsylvania Street. The U.S Steel Yard seats about 6,000 fans, includes 18 luxury suites and a full-service restaurant (Bennigan's), a picnic area and a playground. The stadium is also used for concerts and other community events.

The Gary Division of Planning is spearheading a significant improvement to the Sports District. Over $300,000 is earmarked for pedestrian improvements between these two venues. It is the first phase of of an initiative that will add landscaping, pedestrian and transit facilities, new lighting and signage to this corridor, among other things. The design for these improvements will be accompanied by the creation of standards for new development along the corridor, assuring that new projects in the area will be accessible to residents and visitors alike in an environment that welcomes walk-in customers as well as motorists.

Information on the Gary Steelheads can be found at www.steelheadshoops.com. For more information on the Gary SouthShore RailCats, visit the team website at www.railcatsbaseball.com.

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