Redevelopment Commission declares 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to enable TIF-based redevelopment options

The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted March 16 to find the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue, owned by Regional Data Management LLC, to be blighted in an economic sense under the RDC statute, a step staff said is required before the commission may pursue acquisition as part of a redevelopment plan.

Ryan (the city/commission attorney) briefed the board on the legal standard and procedure in section 19.5 of the RDC statute, saying the commission must make a formal finding that a property is blighted, unsafe, abandoned, foreclosed or structurally damaged before using RDC authorities to acquire it. He recommended wording for the motion that the commission "determine 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 moved and seconded and then approved by the board.

Staff explained that a willing seller has offered the parcels for sale and that the city is working on appraisals; the commission's finding enables subsequent steps within a larger TIF strategy but does not itself transfer title. Counsel and staff noted the TIF district is still under development, that the RDC does not independently exercise eminent domain (the city council retains that authority), and that appraisals and further council approvals would be required before purchase or use of condemnation.

Board members discussed how the finding could be used as part of a broader corridor redevelopment plan and confirmed funding options could include TIF borrowing or direct city support. The commission's action was presented as a preliminary but necessary step to allow the RDC and city to move more quickly on properties that support the TIF vision.