02/09/26 - Hammond City Council Meeting

The City of Hammond, Indiana City Council held a meeting on February 9, 2026, where several procurement and development-related topics were discussed. A key focus was the proposed Riverfront District ordinance, which would allow the city to manage and allocate restaurant liquor licenses within a designated district to stimulate downtown economic development. The council passed Ordinance 26-03 unanimously, enabling the redevelopment commission to control these licenses and collect application and annual fees. Additionally, the mayor updated the council on ongoing negotiations with developers interested in the old Franciscan site, noting an extension on the current deal until the end of February, with the option to seek other developers if no progress is made. The meeting also included approval of claims totaling over $10.8 million and the introduction and passage of Ordinance 26-05 related to fund creation. Public concerns were raised about a proposed pedestrian bridge project and its associated costs, highlighting community scrutiny of city spending priorities.