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Redevelopment authority declares 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to clear path for TIF‑backed acquisition
Summary
The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority voted to find 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under the RDC statute, enabling potential purchase as part of a planned tax‑increment financing (TIF) strategy; appraisals and further approvals remain required before acquisition.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority voted at its March 16 meeting to declare the parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue — listed in the record as owned by Regional Data Management LLC — “blighted in an economic sense” under the RDC statute, a finding the commission said is necessary to proceed toward acquisition as part of a larger TIF plan.
Staff member (S7) proposed the formal wording for the finding, citing the commission’s statutory authority: “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 motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Officials described the site as a former car wash that is currently used for commercial vehicle storage and said an assessor’s value and additional appraisals are being obtained. Staff (S1 and S7) told the commission the owner is a willing seller, a prerequisite for one route of purchase under the applicable statute; staff emphasized that appraisals and city title work must be completed before any closing.
Commissioners discussed how any acquisition would be coordinated with a proposed tax‑increment financing district covering a corridor that includes Route 6 and the west side of the city. Staff (S9) said the TIF could supply borrowing capacity and that the city council — not the RDC — holds authority to initiate eminent domain if that ever became necessary: the RDC can pay for eminent domain, but council approval would be required to exercise it.
Next steps identified by staff include completing appraisals, securing title reports, and returning to the commission with recommended purchase documents and funding details. The commission’s vote was a policy determination to enable those next steps; no purchase contract was signed at the meeting.
