Developer says power is next step; board keeps demolition order and sets Aug. 6 status check

Scott Borstein, representing Neil & LaRoy on behalf of Veil 2 Equities, told the Hammond City Board of Public Works and Safety that most demolition and remediation work at the property had been completed but electrical service remained unresolved.

"All of the work in connection with the actual demolition notice is done...the only outstanding item on the demolition notice was the electrical," Borstein said, adding he had asked his colleague to provide a technical update.

His colleague, introduced as Joe, told the board he had met with NIPSCO and that, after submitting an updated equipment list, "they could probably get the power up and running, say, in about a 30 day turnaround." Joe said the developer planned to continue non-electric subcontractor work while awaiting service and would coordinate inspections with city staff.

City building department staff told the board that an earlier demolition order was dismissed at the time of property transfer because of representations by the broker and prior owners, but that progress stalled and the department had issued a new order. The staff member recommended keeping the order in effect and returning for a status update rather than dismissing it immediately.

The board set a status hearing for Aug. 6, 2026, to allow time for the developer and NIPSCO to complete the electrical work and for staff to confirm that services and interior systems are functional before the property can be removed from the repair/demolish list.