Key points:
- The proposal includes a 145,000-square-foot convention centre and a 300-room Hard Rock Hotel
- The project would be financed through gaming taxes, state matching funds and Hard Rock’s $30m contribution over 20 years
- The site is shovel-ready with no additional infrastructure costs required
A public meeting in Gary, Indiana, saw strong community support for the proposed Lake County Convention Center, a new facility planned near Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
The project, which includes a 145,000-square-foot convention space and an estimated 300-room Hard Rock Hotel, was presented by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana President Matt Schuffert and AECOM Managing Principal Jeannette Peruchini.
The proposed development would be funded through gaming taxes, state matching funds and a $30m contribution from Hard Rock, spread over 20 years.
Officials confirmed that the financing plan does not include an increase in the innkeeper’s tax.
Good to know: The site, located along I-80 between I-294 and I-65, is already prepared for development and does not require additional infrastructure upgrades
The announcement follows Hard Rock Casino’s $3m donation in March 2024 to assist with downtown Gary’s revitalisation efforts. That contribution, aimed at eliminating blighted properties along the Broadway Corridor, was part of a broader redevelopment initiative introduced under Indiana SB 434.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has drawn over 8 million visitors since opening. The proposed convention centre is intended to build on that momentum, attracting large-scale events, trade shows and conferences.
Mayor Melton commented: “Hard Rock delivered on its promise of good, living-wage jobs at the casino and I am grateful for its pledge to do the same at the convention centre. A convention centre and hotel will take this destination to the next level.”
AECOM has incorporated sustainability measures into the design, including a green roof, solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems.
No official timeline has been provided for the project's next steps, though city officials and Hard Rock representatives have indicated a commitment to moving forward with community engagement and regulatory approvals.
