Council adopts redevelopment resolutions and approves zoning reclassification for new thermoplastics plant

The Common Council adopted Resolution 26R02 to expand the North Hammond development area and approve the 2025 amendment to the North Hammond redevelopment plan, and it adopted Resolution 26R03 to approve the Jacob Square Residential Housing Development Program, which will capture new assessed value within Jacob Square for capital improvements such as sidewalks, lighting and parks. Both resolutions passed 9–0.

Council then considered Ordinance 26-04, a zoning reclassification for parcels commonly identified as 1175 State Street and nearby lots. Councilman Salinas and others said the long-vacant site, previously an illegal dumping area, will be converted into a modern precast facility for Davies Imperial Coatings (described in the transcript as "Davies thermoplastic manufacturing"), which council supporters said is designed to act as a buffer to rail noise and create "40 plus" local jobs while improving stormwater management and truck circulation.

Developer consultant Jack Ferino (introduced himself at the meeting) briefly showed a rendering of a roughly 50,000-square-foot precast building and told the council the developer has begun neighbor outreach and expects to hire locally. Council discussion included procedural questions about public notice and whether additional public testimony should be taken at committee, and staff and members confirmed the planning commission record was established previously and that final passage by council would be a yes/no vote on the plan commission's recommendation. The ordinance passed final passage 9–0.