The Gary Health Department is looking for input, as it plans for a new facility. The department has been allocated $5 million dollars from the city's share of federal American Rescue Plan money.
Gary Health Commissioner Dr. Roland Walker says he'd like to hear from nonprofit groups, developers or anyone else with ideas. "Maybe this is something that we have a building where the nonprofits all come together in one building, and that would be excellent. Developers who have ideas of where we could receive more grant money and use the $5 million that we have and bring in other tenants and build something better. The general public because it's their health department. They're the ones using it," Walker said.
Walker said the health department serves people beyond just the city of Gary. Many residents needing immunizations find it more convenient, since it's served by public transportation, and Gary's STD clinic serves multiple counties.
"We realize we probably won't get another bite at the apple for decades, but we want to make sure that we do this thing right, so we're calling for any ideas and help on putting together a health department that the surrounding area can be proud of," Walker added.
Walker acknowledged that $5 million on its own isn't much for construction, but he said it's "good seed money."
