Hammond board conditionally approves $8.47 million contract for downtown train station

Hammond City officials on Feb. 12 conditionally approved a $8,474,000 draft construction agreement with Larson Danielson Construction for the Downtown Hammond Train Station.

Dean Button told the board the contract is drafted and requested the board authorize the agreement now to allow Larson Danielson time to review it before revenue service begins, currently targeted for St. Patrick’s Day. He said the firm will likely need time to propose changes and asked the board to permit execution contingent on the contractor’s approval. "What we'd like to do is get it to Larson Danielson because it's such a big contract," Button said.

A board member moved to approve the contract based on the existing contract template; another seconded the motion. The board approved the conditional authorization by voice vote.

The decision allows staff to transmit the draft to Larson Danielson and finalize terms after the company completes its review. No specific amendments or change orders were recorded at the meeting. The board did not set additional funding authority or a revised start date at the meeting; staff said the station’s revenue service remains set for St. Patrick’s Day.

Next steps: staff will forward the draft agreement to Larson Danielson for review and return to the board if the contractor proposes substantive changes.