Genesis Convention Center

The Genesis Convention Center was a multi-purpose arena and convention center in downtown Gary, Indiana, United States. Opened in 1981, it featured a 24,472 sq ft arena floor with a 49 ft ceiling and the attached "Indiana Hall," a combined theater/ballroom seating about 1,200. It could host up to 7,000 people.^[2]

Genesis Convention Center

Address	1 Genesis Center Plaza Gary, Indiana United States
Location	1 Genesis Center Plaza Gary, Indiana
Owner	City of Gary
Operator	Gary, Indiana
Capacity	6,500 (basketball); 7,000 (multi-purpose)
Construction
Built	1981
Opened	1981
Architect	Wendell Campbell
Tenants
Gary Steelheads (IBL/CBA/USBL/IBL) (2000–2008) Gary Splash (IBA) (2010–2013[1])

History

Built by the city and designed by Wendell Campbell, the center opened in 1981. It served as a civic, entertainment, and sports hub for Gary and Northwest Indiana. Part of it's purpose was to revitalize Gary’s economy, which had taken a hit following the decline of the steel industry.^[3]

In 2018, then mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson described the building as a "drain" of the city of Gary, and sought a buyer, advising that demolition would be too expensive and so putting it up for sale may be the best option.^[3] On March 20 of that year, the Gary Common Council voted unanimously to establish an ordinance that would legally vacate Washington Street between 4th and 5th avenues, after discovering that the streets that run underneath the Genesis were never legally vacated when the structure was built in 1981.^[3]

In October 2020, Akyumen said it would invest $100 million in a project to obtain the Convention Center (and Ivanhoe Gardens properties), where Akyumen had planned to establish its new headquarters and 5G smartphone manufacturing facility. However, this deal did not work out, and ultimately the City of Gary's Redevelopment Commission was obliged to pay $35,000 to have the properties transferred back to the city^[2]

Sports teams

• The Gary Steelheads (IBL/CBA/USBL/IBL) played from 2000 to 2008 at the arena.
• The Gary Splash (Independent Basketball Association) used it from 2010 until 2013.

Notable events

The center hosted a wide range of major events:

• Miss USA pageant in 2001 and 2002.
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF) house shows, including a February 27, 1988 card featuring stars like Randy Savage, Iron Sheik, Bret Hart, and others.
• Concerts by Prince, Whitney Houston, Ludacris, Public Enemy, L.L. Cool J, The 2 Live Crew, Three 6 Mafia, Candyman, and Too $hort. The final concert before closure was a performance by rapper Gucci Mane on October 30, 2020.^[4]
• Cultural events such as high school graduations, funerals, conventions, and concerts, including the funeral of former mayors Rudy Clay^[5] and Richard G. Hatcher^[6]

Closure and current status

By the 2010s the facility had deteriorated. While no official closure date is widely cited, the building has been described as "struggling like... an old friend… between life and death" in reports from 2022 to 2023.

In 2024, Mayor Melton indicated his desire to demolish the parking garage next to the center, having been closed for years due to structural issues - but not the Genesis Center itself, saying "It has served as a cornerstone in our community, from basketball games to graduations to weddings and banquets.. That's something that we need to bring back."^[7] Powers & Sons Construction had begun an assessment on the structure, to try to find a way to reopen it.

In June 2025, the mayor of Gary, Eddie Melton issued a press release seeking interest for the future of the Genesis Convention Center, located in the heart of downtown. The city, it says, are seeking developers, design firms and community-driven organizations to "bring forward ideas to transform the Genesis Center into a multiuse facility that supports the city’s economic growth and honors its historic legacy." The city is also open to proposals for the redevelopment of the site if the building is to be demolished.^[8]

As of mid-2025, it's officially closed and remains unused, suffering neglect and vandalism.

Legacy and redevelopment

Although currently in disrepair, many locals remember the Genesis Convention Center as a key venue for sports, culture, and civic events.^[9] Community efforts continue to explore options for its redevelopment, though as of mid 2025 no concrete plans have been finalized.