Public hearing scheduled in Indiana town over demolition concerns

East Chicago public housing complex to be demolished is tainted with lead.

A public hearing will be held June 26 at East Chicago, Indiana's former Carrie Gosch Elementary School for residents of northwestern Indiana who are concerned about the impact of demolishing what is being described as a lead-tainted public housing complex, according to an Associated Press (AP) article .

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reportedly released findings May 26 concluding that razing the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago would have "no significant impact on the human environment."

Despite these fining concerns remained about the potential of airborne contaminants, groundwater impacts and further exposure to lead- and arsenic-contaminated soils, among residents in nearby Calumet and East Calumet neighborhood residents. They sought a public hearing to address concerns, which HUD approved.
Demolition of the housing complex is expected to begin in the fall.