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Redevelopment commission declares 2711 West 37th Avenue blighted to enable TIF acquisition steps
Summary
The commission voted to find 2711 West 37th Avenue (Regional Data Management LLC) blighted under section 19.5 of the RDC statute, a procedural step staff said is needed before appraisals and possible TIF-backed acquisition.
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission on March 16 moved to declare 2711 West 37th Avenue — owned by Regional Data Management LLC — "blighted" under section 19.5 of the RDC statute, a finding staff and legal counsel said is required before pursuing acquisition using redevelopment tools tied to a proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) district.
Staff and legal counsel (S7 and S2, Miguel) laid out the facts: the site was originally built as a car wash, is currently used for commercial vehicle storage, and has assessor values and street-view evidence that, counsel said, support an economic blight finding. Counsel told the commission city appraisals are pending and the city is working to provide them; staff said they are not asking to purchase immediately but to make the statutory blight determination to preserve options.
S7 (staff/legal) proposed wording for a motion that the parcel at 2711 West 37th Avenue be determined blighted in an economic sense under section 19.5 of the RDC statute; commissioners moved, seconded and approved the determination by voice vote. Commissioners also discussed the relationship between that determination and broader TIF district planning: the TIF is still being formed, appraisals are required before purchase, and the RDC does not alone exercise eminent domain (the council holds that power), though TIF financing could be used for acquisitions if the legislative body approves.
Why it matters: A blight determination is a formal statutory step that can enable redevelopment tools — including TIF-backed acquisition — intended to speed up reuse of neglected parcels. Staff said the declaration is part of a larger corridor strategy to attract investment along Route 6 and adjacent corridors.
The meeting record did not include a roll-call vote tally; the action passed by voice vote. Staff said the city is arranging appraisals and further legal and title work before any purchase agreement or payment.
