The city founded in 1906 to house U.S. Steel workers hopes its next 100 years bring a return to past glory.
Once a thriving manufacturing town nicknamed Magic City -- because it literally came out of the ground overnight along with the explosive growth of U.S. Steel -- Gary, Indiana, has seen its fortunes plunge just as quickly, along with the declining local employment of Big Steel. Add to the mix racial tensions in the 1960s, suburban flight in the 70s and rampant drug crime in the 80s and 90s, and the result is a current population total just over half of Gary's 200,000 peak.
City boosters are using Gary's 100th anniversary to celebrate the area's past and provide hope for its future. The Gary Centennial Celebration will feature festivals, an air show, and a climactic outdoor July 4th concert with native son Tito Jackson. The centennial dovetails with attempts to revitalize Gary's airport and lakefront, and the construction of a new downtown minor-league baseball stadium.
And in a curious twist of fate, Indiana's republican governor, Mitch Daniels, has taken an interest in revitalizing Gary and its lakefront. Despite Gary being "genetically, impossibly, forever Democratic," Daniels feels a reborn Gary would contribute to overall statewide growth.
Thanks to Alex Pearlstein
FULL STORY: Gary, Ind., looks into its future

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service