Nice N Easy exemption renewed in Hammond, contingent on ADA access fix and camera repairs

The Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety renewed the operating exemption for Nice N Easy at 4508 Calumet Avenue on Feb. 12, but made the renewal contingent on repairing an ADA access ramp and updating the store’s exterior cameras.

Ron Novak told the board the site had a historical release about 20 years ago and that pipeline monitoring work requires ongoing access adjacent to the Grand Calumet River. Novak raised an ADA concern: the sidewalk that runs east from the exit door lacks a ramp, which would prevent access by people using mobility devices.

Chief Jeffrey Long (reading a message from department staff) said the department’s Lieutenant Gody, now Captain Gody, reported two camera issues: one camera previously was nonfunctional and another was aimed at a ladder rather than the exterior corner. "We contacted Fuchsias and they took care of it," a representative for the business said, and the board made the exemption renewal contingent on the cameras being repaired and the ADA access issue being addressed.

The motion to renew the exemption with those conditions passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: The board tied public-safety and accessibility conditions to the license renewal, requiring the business operator to correct physical barriers and security systems before the exemption next comes up for renewal.

What happens next: Staff will follow up with the business on the ADA ramp and camera repairs; the board expects the cameras to be rectified quickly and will verify ADA remediation by the next renewal cycle.