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Hammond City Capital Improvement Board approves roughly $303,000 for local projects
Summary
The Hammond City Capital Improvement Board voted 5-0 to approve minutes from Jan. 21 and four funding allocations totaling $303,018.27 for downtown tree replacement, general engineering services, a ditch improvement on J.F. Mahoney Drive and a design to realign Willow Court and State Street to address safety concerns.
The Hammond City Capital Improvement Board on Feb. 1 approved four funding allocations totaling $303,018.27 and accepted the minutes of its Jan. 21, 2026 meeting.
The most immediate approvals included a $2,028.27 supplemental payment to Reith Riley Construction Company to replace roughly two trees as part of Homan Avenue Phase 1; a $60,000 contract with NICE Engineering for general engineering services; $120,490 for ditch improvements on J.F. Mahoney Drive with H3 Concrete; and $120,500 for design services with First Group Engineering to realign Willow Court at State Street.
Why it matters: The Willow Court realignment was presented as a response to multiple reported crashes and a roadway "kink" that officials said affects sight lines. Chair said the design work is being advanced this year to remove the kink, improve sight distance and to prepare for planned railroad quiet zones along the Norfolk Southern line.
The meeting opened with roll call and a statement from the Chair that five members were present (four in chambers, one on Zoom). The board first approved the Jan. 21 minutes; the motion was moved and seconded and passed on roll call with five votes in favor.
On Item 9a, the Chair described the tree-replacement payment as "a commitment to replace about 2 trees, in Downtown Hammond," and explained the city shared the cost because the contractor planted during the summer outside the normal planting season. The motion to approve the supplemental payment for Homan Avenue Phase 1 passed 5-0 on roll call.
On Item 9b, the board approved a $60,000 contract with NICE Engineering for general engineering services to support the department on sewer, drainage, electrical and sign projects. The Chair summarized the vendor's role as supplemental technical assistance to city engineering staff; the motion passed 5-0.
On Item 9c, the board approved $120,490 to H3 Concrete for ditch improvements along J.F. Mahoney Drive. The Chair said the work followed a complaint about an overgrown ditch near the ice complex and that "the recommendation by the engineers [is] to install, we call an inverted crown curb in the center of the drain to allow better drainage and to make maintenance easier." The motion passed by roll call vote, 5-0.
On Item 9d, the board approved $120,500 for First Group Engineering to produce designs to realign Willow Court with State Street. The Chair said early last year police reported a number of roadway departures on Willow Court at State Street; the proposed design would remove the kink in the road, realign the intersection and address sight-distance problems while accommodating a nearby Homan Avenue bridge abutment. The Chair also linked the work to preparations for proposed quiet zones on the Norfolk Southern line at several crossings. The motion passed 5-0.
The Chair asked for public expression; none was offered. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for March 2. The meeting adjourned after a motion and an 'aye' vote.
Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes, Jan. 21, 2026 — Outcome: approved (roll call; 5 in favor). - Funding Allocation No. 303 — Homan Avenue Phase 1 supplemental tree replacement (Reith Riley Construction Company) — $2,028.27 — Outcome: approved (roll call; 5 in favor). - Funding Allocation No. 304 — General engineering services (NICE Engineering) — $60,000 — Outcome: approved (roll call; 5 in favor). - Funding Allocation No. 305 — J.F. Mahoney Drive ditch improvements (H3 Concrete) — $120,490.00 — Outcome: approved (roll call; 5 in favor). - Funding Allocation No. 306 — Realignment design for Willow Court and State Street (First Group Engineering) — $120,500 — Outcome: approved (roll call; 5 in favor).
What the transcript shows and what it does not: The transcript records the board's votes and the amounts, vendors and high-level project descriptions. The wording identifying who specifically moved and seconded some motions is inconsistent in the transcript; the roll-call tallies are clearly recorded as five in favor with no dissent for each action. The transcript does not specify funding sources or construction schedules beyond noting design work this year and construction at a later date.
Next steps: Design work for the Willow Court realignment is expected to proceed this year, with construction anticipated later in the year in coordination with other quiet-zone preparations, according to remarks in the meeting.
