A new “I Love Gary” sign now greets visitors outside the SouthShore RailCats SteelYard, thanks to the efforts of the Decay Devils and a $60,000 grant from the Legacy Foundation. The 20-foot installation aims to inspire pride among city residents and serves as a bold statement for downtown Gary.
The Decay Devils collaborated with ACC Signs and Design in Crown Point to create the sign. While near completion in August, a fire at the sign company’s facility delayed the project. Despite the setback, the sign was completed and installed by the end of the year.
The sign has already generated significant engagement on social media, with more than 80,000 impressions on Facebook and over 20,000 interactions on Instagram within 24 hours of its unveiling. The RailCats organization embraced the project, calling it a welcomed addition to the SteelYard and a way to draw more visitors to the stadium.
Funding for the sign came primarily from the Legacy Foundation, with additional contributions from the mayor’s office and U.S. Steel. The size of the sign made the SteelYard an ideal location, ensuring it would be prominently displayed rather than confined to a smaller space.
While the “I Love Gary” sign has been a success, the Decay Devils are shifting their focus to their ongoing Union Station restoration project. Since 2016, the nonprofit has worked to preserve the historic train station and aims to transform it into a mixed-use community space with dining and office areas. The organization plans to raise $2 million in 2025, part of the $6 million total project cost, with funding coming from private donors, grants, and tax credits.
Though the Decay Devils are primarily focusing on Union Station, they remain open to collaborating on art projects in the future, potentially expanding the impact of the “I Love Gary” sign initiative.
