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Board affirms multiple demolition orders, approves rehab agreements and sets status dates for several properties
Summary
On March 6 the Board affirmed demolition orders for several unsafe properties, approved rehabilitation agreements for vacant houses, rescinded demolition orders where properties were rehabilitated, and set status review dates for ongoing rehabs.
The Hammond City Board of Public Works and Safety on March 6 heard a series of demolition hearings and property-rehabilitation updates and took multiple actions: it affirmed demolition orders for at least two properties while approving or scheduling rehabilitation agreements and rescind-and-release orders for several others.
The board affirmed the demolition order for 7339 California, the city’s attorney and inspection staff said the property met the unsafe-building criteria under the Indiana Unsafe Building Act and had been properly noticed. Dylan Fosnock, identifying himself as an employee of Indiana Tax Auction, told the board his company bought the property at tax sale, had a buyer fall through and had obtained two rehab bids; he asked for time to complete a rehabilitation. The board approved the order but the transcript and staff said the owner has six to eight weeks to pursue a rehab inspection and potentially a rehab agreement with inspections staff. The city inspection contact given in the meeting was lewterw@gohammond.com for follow-up.
The board also handled 6826–28 Kennedy Avenue, a former restaurant property owned by Arturo Quintana. The city said water, gas and other services have been off and windows were boarded in 2019. Quintana’s attorney, who identified himself as Mr. Molina, said new plans were filed with the state (a construction design release was in process) and asked the board to continue the matter. The board affirmed the order and set a status hearing for April 10 to allow time for state review of construction design approvals.
Separately the board approved rehabilitation agreements or released demolition orders where work had been completed: 1021 Moss (rehab agreement approved; status set for May 8), 4934 Ash Avenue (rehab agreement approved; status set for May 29), 941 Reese and 5426 Wood Street (orders to rescind and release were approved because inspections staff reported the properties had been rehabilitated). The board also noted 54 Mason will have an order to rescind and release prepared for the following week based on progress.
The board set or confirmed status review dates for multiple other properties: 918 Woodville Court (status set April 17), 607 State Street (status set May 8), and the Vargas property (status set May 8). The board granted an extension related to 4450 Calumet (a gas-station-related curb issue) and said the sidewalk program will address the damage.
On administrative hearings, the board waived late business-license fees for Home and Floral after the owner cited an oversight. For late rental registrations the board assessed the late fee for 946 Murray (amount $20.24) and waived late fees for three other properties owned by the same person; the owner was given 30 days to pay or arrange settlement through the city offices.
Actions included motions, seconds and unanimous votes on individual items; where owners indicated interest in rehabbing properties, staff described the process for paying inspection fees and obtaining a rehab inspection and report before a formal rehab agreement could be placed before the board.
