Gary business, neighborhood at crossroad
By Carole Carlson ccarlson@post-trib.com January 13, 2012 4:00PM
Larry Webb shows where vandals have knocked out windows to steal materials like copper and aluminum at the old Beckman Middle School in Gary, Ind. Tuesday January 10, 2012. Webb moved his businesses, Eclipse Limousine Service and Larry E. Webb Construction Co. to the building. He says his renovation of the building is being hampered by vandalism. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 17, 2012 8:04AM
GARY — The new image-conscious leadership at City Hall campaigned on making the city business-friendly, promising to reduce red tape and obstacles.
The day after her November election, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson proclaimed, “Gary is open for business.”
That resolve could be tested quickly as the City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a variance for a relocated business that’s unwanted by its residential neighbors.
Last year, Lew Management purchased the old Beckman Middle School for $100,000. Owner Larry E. Webb, of Gary, runs a transportation company that includes Eclipse Charters & Tours, Eclipse Limousine Service and Larry E. Webb Construction Co. Webb said his business property, now at 9340 Melton Road, was purchased by the National Park Service.
Webb, 69, said the school, closed in 2004, seemed like a good fit. Webb saw promise in the building, even though vandals ripped out large chunks of the school’s concrete walls to steal aluminum, furnace parts and bathroom fixtures. His various companies provide jobs for about 19 full-time employees, all from Gary.
Once Webb began moving to the school at 1430 W. 23rd Ave. last year, neighbors began complaining. That caught the attention of Councilwoman Kimberly Robinson, D-5th, who represents them.
“We’re at a standstill at who’s right and who’s wrong; they see it turning into a big bus barn,” Robinson said of neighbors’ concerns. “People are just not open to what they’re trying to do there.”
Darnail Lyles, Webb’s attorney, said eight people attended a community meeting and voiced concern about diesel fumes.
“The neighborhood is two blocks north of (Interstate) 80-94,” he said. “The buses won’t be out there idling. I couldn’t get them to be reasonable.”
At a recent meeting with residents, Robinson said Webb told them he has four coach buses, two limousines and 11 to 13 school buses that would be housed on the property.
“People don’t want the pollution; it’s a relatively quiet community,” she said.
Webb said he bounced around city agencies for about six months before acquiring Board of Zoning approval for a variance. The BZA amended the variance, calling for Webb to keep the buses enclosed.
Webb blames a couple of residents “for spreading rumors” about his business. He said he’ll be a good neighbor.
“If we get a snowstorm, they’d be stuck,” Webb said. “Because of our school buses, we’ll keep 23rd Avenue clean. We have that type of equipment.”
Webb said if he receives approval of his variance, he’ll hire 30 to 40 construction workers to renovate the building. At some point, he envisions the possibility of a trade school with a cafeteria. Because of financing difficulties, Webb said he will have to complete the remodeling in phases.
Webb’s plans haven’t swayed Robinson.
“I won’t be for it,” she said. “I told him my responsibility is to my constituents.”
Robinson said Webb apparently didn’t receive zoning information from the Gary Community School Corp. when he purchased the property.
“Where he is on Melton Road is fine — it’s zoned industrial — but this is like the middle of a neighborhood,” she said.
Lyles said Webb has promised to build a structure to house all the school buses.
“This is a man struggling to make something happen to bring a previously dilapidated building back and put it on the tax rolls,” Lyles said.
Reach reporter Carole Carlson
at 648-3154.
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