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Redevelopment commission finds 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to enable potential TIF purchase
Summary
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to declare 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under the RDC statute, a preliminary step that allows the authority to pursue appraisal and acquisition within a proposed TIF corridor; the owner is a willing seller and appraisals are pending.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Commission voted March 16 to declare the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted in order to enable potential acquisition under the RDC statute.
The commission's attorney recommended wording for the motion that would find the site — owned by Regional Data Management LLC and identified by staff as a willing seller — "blighted in an economic sense as stated in section 19.5 of the RDC statute." Commissioners moved and seconded the measure and approved it by voice vote.
Staff and the attorney said the determination is an administrative finding that would allow the RDC to take acquisition steps tied to a broader tax-increment financing, or TIF, strategy for a corridor that staff described as extending along Route 6 and nearby blocks. City staff are obtaining appraisals; the attorney and staff said no purchase will proceed until appraisals and other due diligence are complete.
Commissioners discussed limits on RDC authority. The commission lacks the power to exercise eminent domain; council holds that authority and would be required for any condemnation action, staff said. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the blight finding alone does not transfer title — it only allows the RDC to pursue acquisition options if the TIF and funding approach are finalized.
Advisor comments at the meeting added that the blight process is intended to speed targeted redevelopment under a coordinated plan and that the parcel would be considered within a larger TIF district effort, not as a stand-alone purchase. Appraisals and final funding decisions were listed as the next steps.
The commission did not set a closing date; staff said appraisals are underway and the city is coordinating the next steps with the owner's representatives.
