LAKE STATION | United Steelworkers Local 2003-35, which represents workers at a variety of Northwest Indiana and Chicago industries, soon will be moving into its own union hall.

The amalgamated local, which has between 1,100 and 1,200 members, purchased the former Christopher Funeral Home, 1307 Central Ave., Lake Station, Thursday.

"We've been growing for the past couple of years, and we've been looking for a building," President Carlos Luna said Tuesday. "With property values the way they are now, it's a bad time to sell but a really good time to buy."

After renting space at the USW's McBride Hall for at least the past 15 years, Local 2003 officials still were nervous about taking such a big step, Luna said.

"But we decided it was time so we could do the things we need to for our members," he said. "The building was vacant for about two years since the bank took it over, so we got a really, really good deal."

Members soon will begin renovations on the building to make it suitable for their headquarters, said Luna, adding that it needs only minor renovations to create offices.

"Hopefully we'll be in there in a couple of weeks," he said.

Local 2003 members will be given details of the purchase at their Feb. 19 meeting at McBride Hall, where the local will meet until renovations are finished, Luna said.