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Commission declares 2711 West 37th Ave blighted under RDC statute to enable TIF-based strategy
Summary
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to find 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted under section 19.5 of the RDC statute, a step staff said is necessary before appraisals and potential acquisition using a proposed TIF district; commissioners discussed funding options and limits on eminent domain authority.
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted to declare the parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue (owned by Regional Data Management LLC) "blighted in an economic sense" under the RDC statute (section 19.5), clearing a statutory finding staff said is needed before appraisals and any acquisition.
Staff (speaker 5) outlined background information, citing assessor values and observable site conditions: the former car wash is being used for commercial vehicle storage and appears nonfunctional for its original use. Staff described the owner as a "willing seller," which, combined with the property conditions, supports the blight finding required by the statute.
"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," staff said when moving the motion to make that finding. Commissioners discussed the need for updated appraisals before any purchase and noted the city’s plan commission and TIF-creation process remain underway.
Commissioners emphasized that the RDC itself does not exercise eminent domain; the council has that authority and any use of eminent domain would require legislative approval. Staff explained that TIF financing and other options — including city support or borrowing within TIF accounts — could be used to acquire or redevelop parcels once the statutory procedures and appraisals are complete.
By voice vote the commission approved the blight determination, clearing the way to obtain appraisals and pursue options tied to a larger corridor redevelopment strategy.
What’s next: Staff will continue to obtain appraisals and report findings; no purchase will occur until appraisals and required statutory steps are complete.
