The Hammond City Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ratify a good-faith offer and authorize condemnation proceedings for the property at 7305 Indianapolis Boulevard, known in the transcript as Cooper's Garage.

Council members approved Resolution 25 R-10, directing the city, through the Hammond Redevelopment Commission, to make a formal good-faith purchase offer and permitting the commission to file a condemnation lawsuit under state code if needed. The resolution passed by a 9-0 vote.

Council discussion and the redevelopment commission's report say the property has received numerous citations for violations of Hammond City ordinances, including maintaining junk vehicles and nuisance conditions, and that the commission has declared the site blighted and in need of redevelopment. The commission obtained a fair-market appraisal and will make the offer before pursuing eminent-domain steps, the council record shows.

The measure references Indiana statutory authority for the process; the resolution text cited state condemnation and purchase statutes as the legal basis for the action. The transcript does not include specifics on the amount of the offer or a redevelopment plan for the site.

With the vote, city staff and the redevelopment commission are authorized to proceed with the next legal steps outlined in the resolution; the record does not show additional direction or a timeline for purchase or court filings.

Clerk Golic recorded the unanimous roll call at the meeting.

The council did not specify a redevelopment purchaser or a redevelopment timeline during the session; further details would appear in subsequent redevelopment commission or council filings.