Hammond mayor says city is courting Chicago Bears, touts $70 million in new projects
January 30, 2026 | Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
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Mayor Tom M. McDermott Jr. said Hammond is positioning itself as a contender if the Chicago Bears decide to move, and he urged residents to treat the possibility as real while the city prepares for large-scale development.
McDermott, speaking at the Lakeshore Chamber’s State of the City at the Hammond Sportsplex, said the Bears are “worth $8,000,000,000” and that he believes the team’s interest in moving is serious. “Of course, we gotta act like this is real,” he said, arguing that Hammond — positioned on the Illinois border and benefiting from state-level fiscal strength — would roll out a welcome if the club were to choose the region.
The mayor tied the potential stadium conversation to broader economic momentum in Hammond. He announced roughly $70 million in projects he said are moving forward this year, headlined by the $27 million redevelopment of the former Bay Calumet Building at 5231 Homan Avenue into 100 residential units and event/retail space, which the mayor said is fully leased. He also named a $7.5 million Swanelle beverage facility, a $10 million Purdue Northwest investment on the former Franciscan Oncology Center, and hotel developments including a 102-room TownePlace Suites and a 125-room SpringHill Suites.
Why it matters: A major sports franchise or large new developments can accelerate downtown investment, increase hotel and retail revenues and raise the city’s tax base — a point McDermott made while urging local patience for projects that require outside partners and funding.
Claims and context: McDermott acknowledged competing offers from other jurisdictions and said some decisions hinge on neighboring communities (for example, he noted Arlington Heights as a current front-runner). He framed Indiana’s current fiscal position as an advantage in courting projects.
What’s next: The mayor said city staff are continuing negotiations and preparing for opportunities but did not announce any binding agreements or incentives; no formal vote or council action was reported at the event.
McDermott, speaking at the Lakeshore Chamber’s State of the City at the Hammond Sportsplex, said the Bears are “worth $8,000,000,000” and that he believes the team’s interest in moving is serious. “Of course, we gotta act like this is real,” he said, arguing that Hammond — positioned on the Illinois border and benefiting from state-level fiscal strength — would roll out a welcome if the club were to choose the region.
The mayor tied the potential stadium conversation to broader economic momentum in Hammond. He announced roughly $70 million in projects he said are moving forward this year, headlined by the $27 million redevelopment of the former Bay Calumet Building at 5231 Homan Avenue into 100 residential units and event/retail space, which the mayor said is fully leased. He also named a $7.5 million Swanelle beverage facility, a $10 million Purdue Northwest investment on the former Franciscan Oncology Center, and hotel developments including a 102-room TownePlace Suites and a 125-room SpringHill Suites.
Why it matters: A major sports franchise or large new developments can accelerate downtown investment, increase hotel and retail revenues and raise the city’s tax base — a point McDermott made while urging local patience for projects that require outside partners and funding.
Claims and context: McDermott acknowledged competing offers from other jurisdictions and said some decisions hinge on neighboring communities (for example, he noted Arlington Heights as a current front-runner). He framed Indiana’s current fiscal position as an advantage in courting projects.
What’s next: The mayor said city staff are continuing negotiations and preparing for opportunities but did not announce any binding agreements or incentives; no formal vote or council action was reported at the event.
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