Redevelopment commission declares 2711 West 37th Avenue 'blighted' to enable TIF acquisition steps

The Hobart 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 RDC statute cited in the meeting (section 19.5), enabling the commission to proceed with additional steps toward acquisition if appraisals and TIF establishment support the action.

Staff told the commission the owner is a willing seller and the city is obtaining appraisals and title reports before any purchase would occur. Staff described the site as a former car wash currently used for commercial vehicle storage and said that condition contributed to the recommendation that the commission make a blight finding.

Counsel/staff proposed a motion framed to reference section 19.5 of the RDC statute. One staff member explained the commission must make a finding that property is blighted, unsafe, abandoned or structurally damaged to use the RDC-acquisition process; the commission discussed and agreed that the parcel meets the economic-blight language cited.

Commissioners discussed TIF boundaries and funding mechanics: TIF borrowing and the city providing funds were noted as possible funding paths, but the TIF district itself is still being developed and not yet finalized. The commission clarified that it does not have eminent-domain authority (the council does) and that any use of eminent domain would require approval from a legislative body.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded that the commission find the parcel blighted under section 19.5; the board voted in favor, recording the determination on the meeting record. Staff said appraisals and title reports remain outstanding and that the motion allows the RDC to proceed with the acquisition process as those items are completed.