The Hammond City Board of Public Works on May 8 recommended awards for demolition contracts and reviewed status reports and deadline extensions for several properties under rehab agreements.

City staff presented a package of demolition contracts with amounts for multiple addresses and recommended awarding to the lowest responsive bidder, identified in the transcript as Kearney. Contract amounts read into the record included $9,000 for 1305–170 First Street, $10,200 for 1037 Ames, $11,900 for 4208 Homan Avenue and 6349–51 Jefferson Rear, $10,800 for 1170 Sibley, $18,300 for 5661 Soul, $12,200 for 944 State Street, and $3,800 for 5426 Wood Street. The board moved to approve the recommendation and concurred.

Staff also provided status updates on multiple properties that have been subject to rehab agreements or demolition lists. For 1021 Moss, staff reported the house had been rebuilt from the foundation after fire and termite damage; the board approved a 90-day extension and set a status date for Aug. 14. For 5629 Calumet Avenue and the adjacent 5627, staff said 5627 had been substantially demolished and the roof and front brick work at 5629 were progressing; staff recommended a new 90-day rehab agreement and set a status date for Aug. 14.

At 2314 Indianapolis Blvd., staff said a single contractor is now completing the rehabilitation after earlier contractor problems; the board set a status date for July 17. For 607 State Street, contractor Paul Garros reported exterior stucco, roof and brick work were complete, that new garage and front doors remained, and that "the plan is to have a coffee shop at that location next to the library." The board set a status review for Aug. 14 to check continued progress.

All demolition contract approvals and rehab extensions were recorded as board recommendations in the meeting transcript; staff indicated further inspection and administrative follow-up would occur before contract execution or final status removal from the demo list.