McDermott touts $70 million in projects, Sportsplex momentum and downtown growth in State of the City
January 31, 2026 | Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
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Mayor Tom M. McDermott Jr. delivered an upbeat State of the City address at the Lakeshore Chamber event at the Hammond Sportsplex, saying "The state of the city is very strong right now" and outlining a package of recent and planned development meant to revive downtown and expand local amenities.
The mayor announced a $27,000,000 conversion of the former Bay Calumet building at 5231 Homan Avenue into 100 residential units with an event venue and coffee shop, and said the first downtown residential project is already "100% occupied." He grouped that project with other investments he described as amounting to about $70,000,000 in new activity for the year.
"There's $70,000,000 worth of projects we're announcing today," McDermott said, listing additional developments including a $7,500,000 beverage distribution facility, a $10,000,000 Purdue Northwest investment tied to a technology corridor, and several new hotels he said will support Sportsplex visitors. He praised the Dean and Barbara White Foundation for a $15,000,000 commitment toward a YMCA water‑park expansion.
The mayor framed the Sportsplex — converted from the former Woodmar Mall in a multi‑phase project — as a local economic engine that has driven hotel occupancy and broader downtown activity. "We built it, and they came," he said of downtown residential development linked to the Sportsplex footprint.
On transportation and quality‑of‑life changes, McDermott said the city is pursuing two quiet‑zone projects to reduce train horn noise, including a larger Governors Parkway project the mayor said is tied to a state letting schedule projected for July 2027. He described the quiet‑zone work as controversial because of potential impacts on forested areas but said it would eliminate train stoppages in Hessville if built.
McDermott also announced a plan to move the water department's customer operations to a new downtown location on Fayette Street as part of a broader strategy to populate downtown with municipal services.
The mayor closed by noting the city’s College Bound scholarship program is celebrating 20 years; he said Hammond has invested $60,000,000 in the program, which provides up to $10,000 per year for qualifying students.
The address mixed formal announcements with a question‑and‑answer format; McDermott took audience questions about the Chicago Bears' potential relocation, a new South Shore Line station and reuse of the former Franciscan hospital site, and he repeatedly framed Hammond's strategy as attracting private investment and strengthening partnerships with regional and state entities. The event concluded with the mayor thanking staff and chamber leaders and wishing residents well for 2026.
The mayor announced a $27,000,000 conversion of the former Bay Calumet building at 5231 Homan Avenue into 100 residential units with an event venue and coffee shop, and said the first downtown residential project is already "100% occupied." He grouped that project with other investments he described as amounting to about $70,000,000 in new activity for the year.
"There's $70,000,000 worth of projects we're announcing today," McDermott said, listing additional developments including a $7,500,000 beverage distribution facility, a $10,000,000 Purdue Northwest investment tied to a technology corridor, and several new hotels he said will support Sportsplex visitors. He praised the Dean and Barbara White Foundation for a $15,000,000 commitment toward a YMCA water‑park expansion.
The mayor framed the Sportsplex — converted from the former Woodmar Mall in a multi‑phase project — as a local economic engine that has driven hotel occupancy and broader downtown activity. "We built it, and they came," he said of downtown residential development linked to the Sportsplex footprint.
On transportation and quality‑of‑life changes, McDermott said the city is pursuing two quiet‑zone projects to reduce train horn noise, including a larger Governors Parkway project the mayor said is tied to a state letting schedule projected for July 2027. He described the quiet‑zone work as controversial because of potential impacts on forested areas but said it would eliminate train stoppages in Hessville if built.
McDermott also announced a plan to move the water department's customer operations to a new downtown location on Fayette Street as part of a broader strategy to populate downtown with municipal services.
The mayor closed by noting the city’s College Bound scholarship program is celebrating 20 years; he said Hammond has invested $60,000,000 in the program, which provides up to $10,000 per year for qualifying students.
The address mixed formal announcements with a question‑and‑answer format; McDermott took audience questions about the Chicago Bears' potential relocation, a new South Shore Line station and reuse of the former Franciscan hospital site, and he repeatedly framed Hammond's strategy as attracting private investment and strengthening partnerships with regional and state entities. The event concluded with the mayor thanking staff and chamber leaders and wishing residents well for 2026.
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