Hammond Capital Improvement Board approves seven funding allocations, including Sibley street‑lighting and Sportsplex parking

The Hammond Capital Improvement Board on an evening meeting approved seven funding allocations covering street lighting, parking and landscaping, drainage repairs, curb installation, engineering contracts and a guardrail, the board said during roll call votes that recorded five in favor and two absent.

The approvals fund projects across the city intended to restore public infrastructure and prepare design work for future street repairs. Board members moved and seconded each item and voted on each by roll call; each motion carried with five yes votes and two members absent, according to meeting records.

The board approved funding allocation No. 274 to restore street lighting on Sibley Street between Hohman Avenue and the Nifty Tracks with Hawk Enterprises for $26,296.77. Staff said the work includes a new service point, directional boring and reconnection of the existing circuit to restore lighting that has been out for some time. The motion passed by roll call.

The board approved funding allocation No. 275 for parking and landscaping improvements at the Hammond Sportsplex with 3 Concrete in the amount of $42,430. The project will convert a one‑way drive aisle in front of the Sportsplex to two‑way traffic to improve access and create off‑street parking in front of the facility, and add landscaping in the front area. The motion passed by roll call.

Funding allocation No. 276 for a French drain in the 4800 block alley of Linden Avenue was approved with Sawyer Plumbing at $12,500. Staff said standing water in the alley between Columbia and Linden has persisted and that only one quote was received; the amount was within the engineer's estimate. The motion passed by roll call.

The board approved funding allocation No. 277 to install curb on Fayette Street with H3 Concrete for $65,900. A board member described standing water and limited drainage on the 4400 block of Fayette following earlier resurfacing; the councilman said he would cover roughly 50% of the project through second‑district gaming funds, leaving $32,950 of the project cost as the Capital Improvement Board's participation, according to the discussion. The motion passed by roll call.

Funding allocation No. 278, a $60,000 contract for general engineering services with Niece Engineering, was approved. Staff said the vendor provides drainage, curb, parking lot and other engineering services the city's engineering staff cannot perform in‑house, and noted that similar approvals earlier in the year bring the program toward $100,000–$120,000 in annual spending. The motion passed by roll call.

The board approved funding allocation No. 279 for advanced engineering services related to a Community Crossings matching grant for $12,230. Staff said First Group Engineering is handling design and the application for the Community Crossings Matching Grant; Advanced Engineering Services will collect corings and borings (the meeting referenced about 14 corings and four borings) to support pavement design. The motion passed by roll call.

The board approved funding allocation No. 280 to install a guardrail on Howard Avenue at Ridge Street with Specialties Company LLC for $18,500. Staff said the recommendation came from the mayor's office after a resident on the 6600 block of Howard reported repeated vehicle departures from the roadway into the front yard; the guardrail was recommended to protect the property. The motion passed by roll call.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved the minutes from the Aug. 4, 2025, meeting. Public expression had no speakers. The board noted the next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2025, and adjourned.

Votes at a glance: each listed funding allocation and the minutes approval passed by recorded roll call with five yes votes and two members absent; the transcript and roll calls attached to each motion show the same tally for each item.