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Redevelopment commission declares 2711 W. 37th Ave. blighted to clear way for TIF-driven acquisition
Summary
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to find the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under the RDC statute (section 19.5), enabling the commission to pursue acquisition as part of a broader TIF redevelopment strategy; commissioners discussed appraisals, funding options and limits on eminent domain.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Commission voted to determine that the property at 2711 West 37th Avenue, owned by Regional Data Management LLC, is "blighted in an economic sense" under the commission’s enabling statute, a finding staff said is necessary before the RDC can pursue purchase as part of its draft TIF strategy.
Staff counsel described the owner as a "willing seller" and said the commission must first obtain appraisals and make the statutory blight finding before advancing an acquisition. "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," counsel proposed, and commissioners moved and seconded that wording before approving it by voice vote.
Commissioners and staff discussed the evidence that informed the finding. Staff cited assessor values and public-visible conditions — the parcel’s original structure is a nonfunctional car wash now used for commercial vehicle storage — and said appraisals are underway. One commissioner asked whether residents behind the site were included in the parcel assessment; staff said they were not. Staff also noted the city is preparing title and appraisal work before executing any purchase agreement.
The motion came with TIF (tax increment financing) context: staff explained the parcel sits inside the proposed TIF boundary (along the Route 6 corridor) and that TIF proceeds, city funds or borrowing between TIFs could be used to finance acquisition and redevelopment. Commissioners emphasized the commission does not itself possess eminent-domain power; that authority resides with the city council and would require legislative approval if ever necessary.
What happens next: staff said final appraisals and title reports will be completed before the RDC attempts to negotiate purchase terms. The blight finding does not itself convey ownership; it authorizes the RDC to proceed with the statutory process and continue planning within the broader TIF strategy for the corridor.
