Hobart Redevelopment Commission approves grant increase, accepts school project revision and declares property blighted

The Hobart Redevelopment Commission on March 16 approved several funding and project decisions, including increasing an education and workforce training grant, accepting a revised school project scope and declaring a downtown parcel blighted as part of a broader tax-increment finance strategy.

The commission voted to increase the 2027 education and workforce training grant from $30,000 to $50,000. Chair (speaker 1) moved the measure and Committee member (speaker 4) seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

The board then considered a scope change to a Maryville School construction-trades project. Commissioner Miguel (speaker 2) summarized the update and a letter from Terrell Taylor, construction-trades instructor at Maryville High School, was read into the record by Presenter (speaker 5). The letter said the project will shift from installing eight outdoor pantry boxes to designing and building eight indoor multipurpose distribution cabinets for each school to store and distribute food, clothing and personal-hygiene items. "The scope and objectives of the grant will remain unchanged and will be completed within the originally approved budget," the letter states. Commissioners discussed liability and food spoilage concerns and noted the indoor approach enables staff monitoring and protects donated goods from weather and vandalism. The commission voted to accept the revised application.

On infrastructure, staff described Change Order No. 9 for the Colorado tracking project, needed after a utility pole relocation required a directional bore to reach a junction box. Staff member (speaker 3) said the change order totals $6,688.02 and that the project remains about $64,000 under budget. The commission approved the change order so the contractor can continue work.

The commission approved payment application No. 1 for roundabout improvements totaling $253,350. Board members discussed keeping landscape elements minimal to avoid creating ongoing maintenance obligations for the parks or public-works departments; the board approved the payment by motion.

A sizable discussion covered the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue, owned by Regional Data Management LLC. Agency official (speaker 7) outlined statutory steps for using the RDC statute and recommended the commission find the parcel blighted in an economic sense under section 19.5 so the RDC may proceed with appraisals and potential acquisition. Commissioners clarified funding options, including tax-increment financing (TIF), and were reminded that the city council holds eminent-domain authority. The commission moved, seconded and approved a finding of blight to allow appraisals and further acquisition steps.

The board approved the register of claims, which included invoices and disbursements totaling $280,409.46, and approved bond requisitions identified in the packet (requisition #76 and #77) by voice vote.

In staff reports, commissioners were told a closing is scheduled for Greenwood parcels and briefed on recent state legislation that extends residential TIF availability from 20 to 25 years, which staff said may provide more flexibility for residential TIF projects. Staff also reported continued development interest along Route 30, near Northwind and 61st Avenue, and upcoming local economic-development events.

Votes at a glance - Increase education/workforce training grant (2027) from $30,000 to $50,000 — Approved by voice vote (motion moved by Chair, seconded by Committee member). - Accept Maryville School construction-trades scope revision (indoor cabinets replacing outdoor pantry boxes) — Approved by voice vote. - Approve Change Order No. 9, Colorado tracking project — $6,688.02; approved by voice vote. - Approve roundabout payment application No. 1 — $253,350; approved by voice vote. - Declare 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under section 19.5 of the RDC statute (to permit appraisals/purchase steps) — Motion approved by voice vote. - Approve register of claims (total $280,409.46) and bond requisitions (#76, #77) — Approved by voice vote.

What happens next Staff said appraisals will be obtained for 2711 West 37th Avenue and the city continues to develop the TIF plan for the corridor; Greenwood-parcel closings are scheduled and staff will continue implementing the CivicServe CRM and coordinating upcoming development and economic events.

(Reporting based on meeting record; all votes were taken by voice and not recorded with roll-call tallies in the transcript.)