Hammond sets Aug. 7 status review after warning that loose panels at 5217 Homan Ave. pose safety risk

Hammond’s Board of Public Works and Safety set a status hearing for Aug. 7 after city staff described an urgent public-safety problem at 5217 Homan Avenue, where deteriorating cladding panels have come loose and could fall in a strong storm. The board said the condition has been treated as an emergency and directed that panels judged obviously in danger of falling be secured or removed before the next status date. City staff and property representatives told the board they were coordinating with a potential buyer that plans to present a remediation proposal next week; the board said that action did not relieve the owner of immediate safety obligations. City code staff described ongoing concerns: panels and the underlying wood support are rotted in places, water infiltration has continued and some panels previously fell during severe weather. Staff said they had authorized emergency work after inspectors determined the risk had increased and that scaffolding and contractor licensing had been discussed with the property representative. Property representatives said they sought to avoid paying twice for partial repairs and requested time to obtain quotes and to coordinate a single, comprehensive removal or remediation. They asked for an extension until the end of August to remove panels and rotten wood if possible, and said a buyer had already obtained a remediation estimate and would come before the board with a written plan. Board members pressed for immediate action on the most hazardous panels. The board agreed that, within two weeks, contractors should secure or remove those panels that were ‘‘obviously in danger of coming off’’ and that the buyer should present its remediation plan publicly. A two-week status date was set for Aug. 7, 2025. No formal demolition order was recorded at the meeting; staff and board members said demolition remains an available authority if safety work is not completed. City staff offered to share any environmental or remediation reports submitted by the prospective buyer with the board. The board emphasized that remediation or removal work required contractor licensing and coordination with city inspectors, and said it expects visible progress by the Aug. 7 status hearing.