Redevelopment Department staff provided a multi‑topic update at the June 3 Hammond Redevelopment Commission meeting covering YMCA financing, site‑development leads, residential parcel requests and upcoming local events.

Ann Taylor told commissioners that YMCA bonds totaling $5,000,000 are closing in relation to a new YMCA in Hammond and two commercial buildings the YMCA owns on 160 Fifth Street; city staff are helping the YMCA find relocation homes for tenants so the YMCA can demolish those buildings and begin phase two of the site plan, which the staff said is an outdoor water park.

Taylor reported that Hammond had a booth at the ICSE retail conference in Las Vegas, where staff promoted two larger parcels ready for development: about 10 acres off the interstate designated for commercial uses (hotels, restaurants) and 16 acres at the gateway station intended for transit‑oriented development (TOD). She said RFPs are expected later this summer and fall.

On residential matters, Taylor said redevelopment staff have launched a webpage listing redevelopment‑owned residential parcels; since the page went live April 1 the department has received more than 65 requests for residential parcels. She added that commissioners have reviewed two batches of requests and another batch is expected at the next meeting.

Taylor also previewed a home builders luncheon at Lost Marsh where the mayor and economic development staff will discuss ongoing residential projects (including 39 parcels at Clark Fields, 28 single‑family parcels and recent work at Millennium Estates and Florida Avenue) and noted a ribbon cutting at a new coffee shop, 219 Grounds, north of Purdue Northwest, set for June 12 at 1 p.m.

Commissioners thanked staff for the report and indicated continued interest in outreach to prospective tenants and home builders.