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Redevelopment commission finds 2711 West 37th Avenue "blighted," moves to pursue purchase within proposed TIF area
Summary
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to declare a commercial parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under RDC statute section 19.5, clearing the way to pursue purchase options as part of a broader Tax Increment Finance (TIF) strategy to redevelop a corridor of the city.
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to declare the parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue "blighted in an economic sense" under section 19.5 of the RDC statute, a determination staff said is required before the commission can acquire the property as part of a proposed TIF-driven redevelopment plan.
The motion followed staff presentations on assessed values and on-site conditions. Miguel, a staff presenter, summarized assessor data and said the structure—formerly a car wash—is not being used as intended and currently serves as commercial vehicle storage, reducing the property's functional and economic value.
An agency official advising the commission recited recommended motion language and urged that the commission make the statutory finding so appraisals and potential purchase steps can proceed. "The determination that the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue owned by Regional Data Management LLC is blighted in an economic sense as stated in section 19.5 of the RDC statute," the advisor proposed during the discussion.
Commissioners discussed next steps including ordering appraisals (staff said the city is working on updated appraisals), funding options and limits on RDC authority. Staff and legal counsel clarified that the RDC itself does not exercise eminent domain and that any use of eminent domain would require approval by the city council; possible funding for acquisition could come from the proposed TIF district or from city funding if the council so chooses.
Officials described the blight finding as one component of a broader strategy to create a TIF district along the Route 6 corridor to attract investment and allow the RDC to acquire and assemble properties for redevelopment. The proposed TIF boundary is still under development, and staff said a plan commission review is pending as part of the TIF-creation process.
The commission approved the blight determination by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and a voice vote but does not record individual roll-call votes. Staff said appraisals must be completed before any purchase agreement can be finalized and that the item is part of a larger plan of redevelopment for the corridor.
Next steps: staff will obtain appraisals, continue work on the TIF district plan and return with recommended purchase documents and any necessary budget or council approvals.
