Urban cities with populations under 250,000 are looking at innovative approaches to revitalize their downtown's and commercial shopping districts. Since suburban expansion and the development of retail malls many urban cities have watched their business districts slowly close down. These urban cities have begun using enterprise zones and tax incentives to attract and maintain business developments. Unfortunately most of these cities are still losing new development to larger urban cities because they also offer enterprise zones, tax incentives and cultural entertainment. Most industries that relocate or open new headquarters in urban cities base their site selection on the best development incentives and cultural entertainment for their middle and upper management. The City of Gary is an example of an urban city with a population under 250,000 and attempting to compete with other urban cities. Their comprehensive plan sets forth guidelines for change and orderly growth management affecting land uses and infrastructure, and for the past 15 years Gary has improved on the possibility of attracting diversified industries, but they are still losing to the surrounding cities within the Northwestern Region. It is the hope that the development of a cultural entertainment district known as the Englehart Arts District will further transform the City of Gary to the forefront. Indiana University School of Arts, Emerson School of Performing Arts, and local arts organization within the city of Gary are very eager to be centralized in one area, and feel that the Englehart Arts District would be a great factor in the future growth and education of the city. Upon research of cultural entertainment within Northwest Indiana, recent data proved that Gary is losing millions of dollars to surrounding cities and not attracting the businesses and industries that could make the city more attractive to consumers and developers.The intent of this creative project is to guide the development of the Englehart Arts District in an older shopping district through the use of special district zoning. Special District Zoning will create a cohesive mixed use area combining the arts, entertainment, retail and offices. The Englehart Arts District will have the potential of becoming a place of attraction, and contribute to the city's goals within the comprehensive plan. / Department of Urban Planning