National Spotlight: City of Gary Featured in Notre Dame’s “What Would You Fight For?” Campaign

New feature during Notre Dame football game spotlights the City’s collaboration with the University’s School of Architecture.

GARY, Ind. – A nationwide audience caught a glimpse of the future of Gary, Indiana this weekend, as the city was the focal point of the latest installment in the University of Notre Dame’s “What Would You Fight For?” series.

The segment, which aired during the broadcast of the Notre Dame football game, is titled Fighting for Community Regeneration. It chronicles the dynamic partnership between the City of Gary and Notre Dame’s Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative (HCR). The commercial moves beyond the city’s industrial past to showcase a new era of development focused on revitalizing the downtown Broadway corridor and stabilizing local neighborhoods.

Unlike traditional master plans that are often developed in isolation, this collaboration functions as an immersive "think-and-do tank." Faculty and students from the School of Architecture spent significant time on the ground in Gary, working side-by-side with city officials and residents to design practical, actionable solutions for zoning, historic preservation, and blight reduction.

Mayor Eddie Melton, who appears in the segment, noted that the project represents a critical turning point for the community.

“This is our moment to truly transform and turn the story around,” said Mayor Eddie Melton. “I tell folks all the time: This is going to be the greatest comeback story in American urban history.”

A key focus of the feature is the extensive community engagement process. Christopher Harris, the City’s Executive Director of Redevelopment and a fourth-generation resident, worked closely with the university team to ensure the proposals honored the lived experiences of Gary citizens. The commercial details how the design team held lengthy listening sessions, allowing residents to voice their frustrations and aspirations before any drawings were made.

“When our final recommendations were shared with the public, there was a resounding round of applause because there was a moment where we felt like we got it right,” said Harris. “The Notre Dame School of Architecture was able to listen in a way that the community felt their voices were heard.”

The broadcast highlights the resilience of the community and the Melton administration’s commitment to building a safe, thriving environment. By leveraging this academic partnership, the city aims to implement high standards for urban design that will encourage new investment and restore a sense of place for residents.

To watch the full segment and read more about the partnership, visit the Notre Dame What Would You Fight For? website.

About the City of Gary

The City of Gary, Indiana, is located 30 miles from downtown Chicago on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Home to a rich cultural history and the Indiana Dunes National Park, the city is currently undergoing a historic revitalization under the leadership of Mayor Eddie Melton, focusing on economic development, community safety, and infrastructure improvement.

Media Contact:

Steve Segura,  
Chief Communications Officer  
ofc: 219-293-0101
cell:219-670-8072
em:Stsegura@gary.gov Headline  

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