Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor urges School City of Hammond to meet on two vacant high-school properties
Summary
The mayor told the council he is pressing the School City of Hammond to meet about Clark and Gabbart (Garber/Gabbart) High School properties that lack utilities and are deteriorating; he said Purdue Northwest has expressed interest in one parcel and called for prompt action.
Mayor (title: Mayor) used his address at the Feb. 9 meeting to press the School City of Hammond to engage with the city over two vacant high-school properties, saying the buildings have no water or power and are "falling into disrepair." He said multiple attempts to schedule meetings with school officials, including the acting superintendent and the school board's attorney, were canceled.
"We've been trying to make appointments with the School City of Hammond to no avail," the mayor said, urging the school system to return phone calls and meet with the city. He described the properties as "huge pieces of property" that are marketable and said "Purdue Northwest has interest" in the Gabbart High School site.
Council members raised constituent concerns about vandalism and overgrown lots and asked the mayor to follow up; Councilman Worpell identified himself and said residents are worried about broken windows and unchecked deterioration. The mayor said he will continue pursuing meetings and keep council members apprised.
No formal action was recorded at the meeting instructing staff to negotiate or acquire either parcel; the mayor’s remarks were a public call for the School City of Hammond to resume discussions. Transcript shows the mayor framed this as a local-priority economic and safety concern and requested cooperative meetings to determine next steps.
SOURCE: Hammond City Council meeting transcript, Feb. 9, 2026.
