Capital Improvement Board approves Torrance Avenue design supplement and $60,000 engineering services contract

The Hammond City Capital Improvement Board on a vote in February 2025 approved two funding allocations: $16,800 to United Consulting for supplemental design on the Torrance Avenue reconstruction project and a $60,000 annual general engineering services contract with NICE Engineering.

The $16,800 allocation covers supplemental design work for Torrance Avenue reconstruction on the 4600 block between Gosselin and Hudson, specifically to redesign the street's parkway area to allow additional parking where a broad, curbless parkway currently exists. Board members voted to approve the allocation after a motion and second; the board recorded six votes in favor and one absence.

Board members also approved a separate $60,000 annual general engineering services contract with NICE Engineering. The contract will provide engineering support to the city's engineering department for a range of tasks, including design solutions for drainage problems such as French drains and other standing-water remedies. That motion was moved and seconded and likewise passed with six yeses and one absent.

At the meeting the board president summarized the Torrance Avenue item as a return to the design phase to add parking: “So they're kinda going back to the board drawing board, I should say, to add more parking spots,” the president said. The board did not specify additional funding sources or an implementation schedule for either allocation during the meeting.

Both motions were recorded as approved by roll call with the following board members recorded as voting yes: Moore; Muda; Prieto; Rakos; Salinas; Warple. One member was recorded as absent. No abstentions were recorded.

The board identified the Torrance Avenue location as the 4600 block between Gosselin and Hudson and noted the design work will focus on providing parking within the existing parkway. The NICE Engineering contract was described as an annual general engineering services agreement to assist with various engineering department assignments, notably drainage solutions.

The board did not cite specific funding sources or show a budget amendment during the meeting. The president said the items had been discussed in a prior work-study session and that no questions were offered by the board in that session. The meeting record shows the board will consider related matters at future meetings; no timeline for construction or pavement work was provided.

The board set a possible next meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 18 to continue regular business.