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Mayor details development interest, mediation on brewery, and outlines public-safety equipment request
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Summary
Hammond's mayor delivered a district-focused report, said a developer is interested in land near 165th and Calumet, described mediation efforts to advance a proposed brewery, and announced the city will request council funding for new police radios and a fire engine funded without increasing current expenditures.
The mayor reported to the Hammond City Council on March 23 with a district-by-district update that included economic-development leads, staffing changes and a request to fund new public-safety equipment.
The mayor said a developer has expressed interest in a large parcel near 165th Street and Calumet in the 4th District and could move quickly on the site. He also described mediating between the inspections department and a prospective brewery owner, Mike Lewachy, to resolve code and inspection issues so the project can proceed.
The mayor warned council members that the city or related entities are engaged in litigation with the town of Munster over matters involving the Hammond Sanitary District and that outside counsel (Faegre Baker Daniels) is representing the sanitary district. He told council members the matter is moving slowly and offered to brief them in a closed session if they wish.
On public safety, the mayor said police radios are more than a decade old—"closer to 12 years"—and that replacements and an additional fire engine are needed. He said the replacement cost for radios alone would be "a few million dollars," and that staff will present a funding plan "that won't cost any additional money than we're paying right now" and will be limited to public-safety purchases.
Council members asked for updates on Clark and Gabbitt high school properties, noting utilities have been shut off and asking what the city plans to do with the vacant buildings; the mayor said the city requested information by March 31 and will follow up at the next meeting.
The mayor also gave updates on staffing, saying interviews for an assistant police chief are underway with an anticipated selection by April 13, and noted ongoing recruitment for other command-level positions.
The council did not take action on the mayor's requests at the meeting; the mayor said staff will return with details and a formal funding plan for council consideration.
