Hammond board affirms demolition orders for multiple vacant or fire‑damaged properties; tax purchasers and owners pledge rehabs where possible

At a Nov. 6 meeting, the Hammond City board affirmed demolition orders for multiple vacant or fire‑damaged properties after inspection staff presented photos and evidence of unsafe conditions under the Unsafe Building Act.

The board’s action covered several addresses, including 517–19 Hoffman Street, 6604–06 Kennedy Avenue, 6646 Nevada, 6402 New Hampshire Avenue, 434 Vine Street and 410 Waltham Street. Inspections staff said the properties had been posted and that service had been accomplished by certified mail, publication and posting on the property prior to the hearing.

“Given the condition of the property, the demo order should be affirmed,” city counsel or inspections staff told the board during presentation of the cases.

Attorney Dustin Smith, representing Nationstar Mortgage, told the board that Nationstar is the first mortgage lienholder on the Hoffman Street…