# September 2026 - Mayor's Night Out


**Body:** City of Hammond, Indiana
**Date:** September 16, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Professional Services, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The City of Hammond, Indiana held its Mayor's Night Out meeting on September 17, 2026, focusing primarily on community recovery efforts following recent severe storms. Key procurement-related discussions included the city's engagement of an out-of-state contractor, LGS, to assist with storm damage cleanup, particularly tree removal and debris management, under a declared state of emergency to enable FEMA assistance. The city engineer also presented a capital improvement project proposal for infrastructure upgrades along Columbia Avenue, highlighting the need for funding amid declining casino revenues. Additionally, the meeting addressed ongoing legal and redevelopment challenges related to the abandoned Gavit High School property, with the city pursuing demolition orders and negotiating with Purdue Northwest for potential athletic facility expansion. Budget and funding strategies were discussed, including the use of wheel tax revenues and grant programs like Community Crossings to support road maintenance and capital improvements. The meeting also touched on public safety concerns, traffic enforcement limitations, and upcoming community events, but no formal votes or contract awards were reported during this session.

**Source:** City of Hammond, Indiana