On Wednesday, March 5, the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce hosted Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr.’s annual State of the City Address at Dynasty Banquets. Over 400 elected officials, executives, and an array of business professionals came from all over the Region to participate in the event. Horseshoe Casino Hammond, BP, Old National Bank, Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, and 219 Development Services numbered among the event sponsors.
With 22 years in office, McDermott has the distinction of being the longest-serving mayor in the history of Hammond. He also shares the title of longest-serving Indiana mayor with Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, who was also elected in 2004. McDermott opened his address with a reflection on his tenure, which spans over two decades.
“It’s great to be here for my 22nd State of the City address,” McDermott said. “Some mayors get eight-year terms, and some only get four years. It’s not common for someone to say that they are celebrating their 22nd year as mayor. One of the benefits of being mayor for such a long period of time is that I’ve not only gotten to start projects, but I also get to see them come to fruition. It's been neat to see things come full circle like that.”
McDermott’s unique, dialogue-style address touched on a number of topics, including an update on the progress being made on the Governors Parkway Railroad Overpass, a project that has been in development for several years. When completed, the two-lane overpass will extend from 169th to 173rd and will enable drivers to cross the train tracks that are perpendicular to the road. For over a century, this roadway has been plagued with traffic congestion due to trains stopping on the tracks.
McDermott announced that the Hammond branch of the College Bound program, which he and the Hammond City Council helped establish 19 years ago, has been renewed for another 10 years. McDermott expressed his pleasure at this development, saying that he attributes Hammond’s growth into Northwest Indiana’s largest city to the benefits offered by the College Bound program.
McDermott predicts that upcoming development projects in downtown Hammond are going to breathe new life into the city.
“Fortunately for Hammond, we have a new rail line going through our downtown, down along the western portion of our city,” McDermott said. “Companies are interested in developing all along it. We have Illinois businesses constantly knocking on our door, talking about big projects. Not just $5 million projects, either: they’re interested in $10 million and $100 million projects. These things are taking place now and they're forcing us to think differently about our city. Things are going very well in Hammond.”
McDermott also announced the redevelopment of the 11-acre Reaper’s Realm Haunted House property, a project that will offer Hammond a variety of development opportunities. McDermott also highlighted how the recent installation of 12 state-of-the-art pickleball courts at the Gene Shepard Center in Hammond has boosted attendance at the center. It is now one of the Region’s premier pickleball locations and has attracted enthusiasts from all over the country and even as far away as France.
In McDermott’s view, there are many positive and game-changing projects and initiatives on the horizon for Hammond in 2025.
“I’m very optimistic about the current state of Hammond,” McDermott said. “I know we have our challenges, but we are weathering them very well. We’re attracting new businesses to our city and making good use of our assets. There are many positive things taking place in Hammond right now. We’ve got to keep working hard to provide services for our residents and keep our streets safe. Hammond is a place for greatness. It’s a wonderful city. The residents have been great to me and it has been an honor to work with you all for the past 22 years.”
The Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce presented McDermott with an award for the unflagging dedication he has demonstrated during his many years of service.
Please visit gohammond.com to stay up-to-date on City of Hammond’s announcements for upcoming projects and events.
