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Hammond board affirms demolition order for 3 Locusts while bank negotiations continue
Summary
The Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety affirmed a demolition order for the property at 3 Locusts after hearing that negotiations between the bank that holds title and the Hammond Redevelopment Commission have not concluded.
The Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety affirmed a demolition order for the property at 3 Locusts after city staff said talks between the bank that holds the parcel and the Hammond Redevelopment Commission remain unresolved.
The item was originally heard on Aug. 21 and returned for a status update. Mister Barrs, the attorney appearing for the bank, told the board, “Nothing has been finalized as of yet.” City staff said they had resumed negotiations but recommended recording the demolition order now to preserve the city’s leverage if the bank transfers the property to a different owner.
City staff explained the board had previously deferred recording the order as a courtesy while discussions continued. A city representative said, “I hesitate to not record the order because obviously, if the bank decides they wanna flip it, now you've got a property that doesn't have an order on it.” The staff member said recording the order would not prevent a later rescission if the bank donates the parcel to the redevelopment commission or a future owner completes required work.
Board members voted to affirm the demolition order; the transcript records board members recommending approval and concurring but does not give a roll-call tally or show a named mover or seconder. City staff told the board they will proceed to record the order following the meeting. The board and participants stated that if the bank or a subsequent owner completes required rehabilitation, the board can later consider rescinding the order.
The record at the meeting notes a fire occurred at the house on the parcel and that the demolition order had been previously affirmed at the Aug. 21 hearing. The board also heard that the bank and the redevelopment commission had been negotiating a potential donation of the property but that no agreement had been finalized.
Next steps: city staff will record the demolition order; if a donation or adequate rehabilitation is completed, the board may consider an order to rescind at a future status date.
