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Redevelopment commission declares 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to enable possible acquisition via proposed TIF
Summary
The commission voted to declare a commercial parcel at 2711 West 37th Ave "blighted" under the RDC statute to allow the authority to pursue acquisition and inclusion in a proposed TIF district; appraisals and title work remain outstanding and the TIF has not been finalized.
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to declare the parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue, owned on the record by Regional Data Management LLC, to be blighted in an economic sense under the RDC statute so the commission may pursue acquisition and redevelopment options tied to a proposed tax-increment financing district.
City counsel described the owner as a "willing seller" and told commissioners that a formal finding of blight is a statutory step that would allow the RDC to proceed with appraisals and, later, purchase negotiations. Counsel noted the commission itself does not have eminent-domain authority; that power rests with the city council and would require separate legislative action.
Staff and commissioners discussed available data: assessor values were referenced and staff said the city is pursuing appraisals and an updated title report before a purchase agreement is finalized. Counsel framed the request as an early, procedural determination so the commission’s redevelopment tools could be used as part of a broader strategy for a corridor that commissioners said has long been neglected.
A motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote to find the property blighted under Section 19.5 of the RDC statute, enabling staff to proceed with required appraisals and next steps. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the action is procedural — appraisals, title work and the formal TIF adoption remain to come.
No vote tally was recorded in the meeting transcript; approvals were taken by voice vote. Staff said funding options for acquisition could include TIF resources or city-provided funds and cautioned the TIF district being discussed is not yet created and would proceed through plan commission and related approvals.
