Commission declares 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to enable TIF-backed acquisition

The Hobart Redevelopment Commission on March 16 voted to declare the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) statute to enable appraisal and potential acquisition steps as part of a proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) redevelopment plan.

Staff described the parcel as a former car wash currently used for commercial vehicle storage and said the property’s assessed values and street-level condition support finding it economically blighted. The motion specified the property owner as Regional Data Management LLC and referenced section 19.5 of the RDC statute as the legal basis for the determination.

An RDC staff member explained that a "willing seller" is in place and that the next administrative steps will include securing appraisals; the city team is working on appraisals, staff said. The board discussed statutory requirements, funding options — including using TIF proceeds and city-provided funds if chosen — and the relationship between a blight finding and any later purchase or use of eminent domain (the commission itself does not have eminent-domain authority; council approval would be required for that power).

A staff member summarized the motion language presented to the board: "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 board seconded the motion and approved it by voice vote, directing staff to proceed with appraisals and follow-up steps consistent with the TIF planning process.

Board members and staff framed the action as one step in a larger strategy to create a TIF district along the Route 6 corridor and adjacent blocks; staff said the TIF is not yet established and will require additional plan commission and council steps.