Hammond Redevelopment Commission approves Sportsplex contracts and multiple change orders, OKs loans and property actions

Hammond Redevelopment Commission members on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, voted unanimously to approve construction contracts and multiple change orders tied to the Hammond Sportsplex renovation and other redevelopment projects, approved two forgivable homebuyer loans, authorized several real-estate actions and extended grant-funded support for a homeless shelter.

The commission’s actions advance the Sportsplex renovation — including awarding two trade contracts and approving three change orders — and finalize smaller but immediate moves: two conditional forgivable loans for homebuyers, a change order for underground detention work at the Crossroads YMCA and an extension to use grant funds for Intermission’s shelter operations.

City Engineer Dean Button said the Crossroads YMCA underground detention change order was needed because a sign and unexpected concrete rubble interfered with the pipeline and detention work. “We had to have it removed and then put back, because it was in the way of the pipeline that connects to the underground detention,” Button said. The commission approved a $25,338 change order with Woodruff & Sons for five items tied to that underground detention work, including sign relocation, casting adjustments, removal and disposal of concrete rubble and an upsized pipe.

On the Hammond Sportsplex renovation and expansion project, the commission approved staff recommendations to award bid package 02 — general trades and mechanical — to Larson Danielson Construction Company Inc. (general trades) and Gatlin Plumbing and Heating Incorporated (mechanical), and authorized the executive director to execute the contracts. Commissioners also approved change orders related to the Sportsplex: Change Order No. 1 with Grimmer Construction Inc., $81,458.88, to relocate approximately 240 feet of an existing water…