Hammond Redevelopment Commission approves loans, construction change order and multiple property transactions

The Hammond City Redevelopment Commission on Aug. 19 approved a package of actions covering home-repair loans, a construction change order for the Hammond Sportsplex, and several property transactions and sales aimed at advancing redevelopment projects.

Commissioners voted unanimously on each item presented, including two conditional forgivable home loans for local buyers, a change order with Larson Danielson Construction Company, Inc., a property-use agreement for Hohman Avenue reconstruction staging, acceptance of a donated lot, two purchase agreements for redevelopment-owned parcels, and authorization to advertise a request-for-proposals for three remaining parcels in the Clarkfield/Clarkfields area.

Why it matters: The approvals move multiple redevelopment projects forward, release funds for homeowner assistance, and authorize construction and land transactions that city staff say are needed to finish infrastructure and facilitate infill housing and commercial redevelopment.

Votes at a glance

- Homebound conditional forgivable loans: Approved for two applicants. Motion by Commissioner Myricks; second by Commissioner Tomage. Applicants and awards: Carlos Gutierrez — $4,481 to purchase 7424 Colorado Avenue; Kendra Nolas — $10,000 to purchase 6718 Tennessee Avenue. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Larson Danielson Construction Co., Inc., Change Order No. 3 — Hammond Sportsplex renovation/expansion: Approved. The change order covers additional concrete work (sidewalk replacement where a water line was relocated and interior keyway/rebar work) totaling $52,970.70. Approximately $20,000 of that was a previously budgeted concrete allowance; the remaining $28,462 will come from the project contingency, which staff said will be reduced but still leave funds available for remaining work. Motion by Commissioner Tomage; second by Commissioner Mosley Shelton. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Property agreement for temporary Hohman Avenue construction staging area (Franciscan property / former hospital parking lot): Approved. The agreement allows contractor Milestone and subcontractor Grimmer Construction to stage equipment and materials on the Franciscan parcel while Hohman Avenue Phase 2 is reconstructed between Russell Street and Douglas. Staff said the property is expected to transfer to the city in October and that insurance from the subcontractor covers the owner, the city and the redevelopment commission. Motion by Commissioner Tomage; second by Commissioner Kubacki. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Offer to donate property commonly known as 4751 Oak Avenue: Approved. Staff described the lot as the parcel directly north of the west parking lot at El Taco Real and said the commission will take time after the transfer to determine best use (a home, landscaping buffer, or other). Motion by Commissioner Mosley Shelton; second by Commissioner Tomage. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Agreement to purchase real estate — Perris View / 30341 Seventieth Street (listed as 30341 Seventieth St): Approved for $12,250. Staff noted covenants exist and the buyer will work with city planning on suitable house design. Motion by Commissioner Myricks; second by Commissioner Kubacki. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Agreement to purchase real estate — property commonly known as 6041 Columbia Avenue: Approved for $5,500. Staff said the buyer will work with city planning on development. Motion by Commissioner Kibaki; second by Commissioner Myricks. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Authorization to advertise Request for Proposals (RFP) — sale of three parcels at Clarkfields (2204, 2210 and 2216 Davis Avenue): Approved. Staff said these are the final three redevelopment-owned parcels at Clarkfields and there has been strong interest. Motion by Commissioner Mosley Shelton; second by Commissioner Tomage. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

- Register of claims (redevelopment commission claims dated 07/31/2025 through 08/13/2025; claim numbers R67460 through R67532): Approved. Motion by Commissioner Tomage; second by Commissioner Myricks. Roll call: Tomage, Kubacki, Mosley Shelton, Myricks, Popridge — all voted yes. Outcome: approved.

What the commission said and staff notes

Staff reported that the commission will see more purchase agreements for redevelopment-owned residential lots as the housing program and sale process proceeds. On the Sportsplex change order, a city engineer explained the need to remove sidewalk and footer to relocate a water main and described the work to replace sidewalk and perform interior rebar/keyway repairs. Staff said roughly $20,000 of the change order was already budgeted and about $28,462 will be drawn from contingency, leaving contingency funds for remaining items.

Several motions were introduced and carried without additional debate. For items involving property transfer or staging on the former Franciscan hospital site, staff said Franciscan and other owners had not yet signed the final documents but that the Board of Public Works and Safety had approved the agreement and insurance coverage is in place.

The commission approved each item by roll call, with five votes in favor on each action.

Ending

Commissioners had no new business after the roll calls and closed public comment without speakers. The commission will return to redevelopment agenda items in upcoming meetings as staff brings finalized purchase-agreement documents and the Jacob Square housing program proceeds through statutory review.