GARY - The Executive Director of the Gary Redevelopment Commission has resigned effective immediately, May 9th.
Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson announced the resignation of Joe van Dyk Thursday.
He served the City of Gary since 2012 as Executive Director of the Redevelopment Commission and as Director of Planning and Zoning Director.
During his time with the city, van Dyk managed economic development initiatives, such as the relocation of Alliance Steel to Gary; led the Gary parcel survey; the Gary Counts initiative; he also helped oversee the city’s blight elimination program, including the Sheraton Hotel demolition and Hardest Hit Fund program.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson said van Dyk has been an integral part of the Gary team for the last seven years and he has been extremely effective in managing a number of economic development initiatives. He is leaving the city to experience new opportunities and to move closer to family on the West Coast. He will remain with the city through September on a part-time basis to complete the City's Comprehensive Plan update.
