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Hobart RDC declares 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to enable potential purchase as part of TIF plan
Summary
The Hobart City Redevelopment Commission voted to find the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under section 19.5 of the RDC statute, clearing a statutory step that allows the commission to pursue purchase and redevelopment options if appraisals and a willing-seller condition are met.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Commission voted on March 16 to declare the parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue, owned by Regional Data Management LLC, "blighted" in an economic sense under section 19.5 of the RDC statute, a finding the commission said is necessary before it can move forward with a purchase and redevelopment under a proposed tax-increment finance district.
Staff explained the determination at the meeting and said the designation is the first formal step: the property owner must be a willing seller, the city must obtain appraisals, and the commission then could proceed with acquisition discussions and TIF-backed redevelopment. "We have a willing seller and the appraisal process is underway," a staff member said during the discussion. Counsel and staff noted the RDC statute does not itself define "blighted" but referenced adjacent code language describing a property that has lost acceptable social or economic value.
Commissioners discussed the geographic scope of a planned TIF that would extend along the Route 6 corridor and include parts of West 37th Avenue; staff said the TIF is still in formation and must go through the plan commission. Commissioners clarified that the RDC itself does not exercise eminent domain; the city council retains eminent-domain authority and any condemnation would require council action.
The motion to deem the property blighted was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said appraisals are being prepared and that the designation is intended to expedite future redevelopment steps as part of a larger corridor strategy to address long-neglected parcels.
What happens next: staff will obtain appraisals and continue TIF district work with plan commission review; any purchase or use of TIF funds would be a subsequent, separate decision by the RDC and other city bodies.
