Staff reports: Decennial/CORE WEAVE power agreement pending; affordable housing application and new lots moving forward

Redevelopment staff member Sam Taylor told the commission June 17 that the Hammond City Council approved the CORE WEAVE and Decennial development agreement and that the next step is a power agreement between the landlord (Decennial) and NIPSCO.

Taylor said he and Scott Miller conducted site visits in downtown and Hessville and reported renewed interest in redevelopment-owned buildings. He said staff are working with tenants and landowners along Kennedy Avenue to explore options and that 10 more lots are ready for the RFP process. Taylor also said the home builders luncheon on June 5 generated strong interest and that planning and development staff are processing inquiries to enable homebuilding on the new lots.

Taylor reported that Gorman and Company has submitted two petitions to the planning commission for a senior living facility and duplexes at Memorial Park. He said the commission has a purchase agreement with Gorman and Company but that Gorman’s ability to proceed depends on winning low-income housing tax credits from the state; Gorman’s application deadline is in July, and staff expect to hear back in November.

Staff said they are preparing 28 single-family parcels for a live auction (similar to a prior auction at Clark Field) and will update the commission as timing and details are finalized. Taylor also noted a recent ribbon cutting at 219 Grounds, a new coffee house in Woodmar, where the mayor and local officials attended and the business owners Luis and Eva Gomez spoke.

Taylor said he would keep commissioners updated on the Decennial power agreement and other active projects as negotiations and applications proceed.