HAMMOND, IND.—The City of Hammond, Indiana, is proud to announce a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase I improvements on Hohman Avenue, part of a redevelopment project for the beautification of Downtown Hammond. Streetscape improvements for four blocks of Hohman Avenue and one block of Russell Street include a new road surface, enhanced crosswalks, new sidewalks with decorative paving, street lights, signage, planters, and a new multi-use events area. This project was funded by the Downtown Hammond Technology Park Fund. Speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony will include the honorable Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr., of the City of Hammond, and Phil Taillon, executive director for Hammond Planning and Development.

“This project will help promote and spur new opportunity and interest in Downtown Hammond,” said Mayor McDermott. “It is another example of how we are making our city a more attractive place in which to work, live and invest in.”

American Structurepoint, Inc., managed the implementation of the project. Gariup Construction Company, Inc., was selected as the general contractor. In 2011, American Structurepoint, along with landscape architecture firm CONTEXT, LLC, worked with city representatives and a steering committee comprising local business owners and concerned residents to design an aesthetically pleasing and functional streetscape for the City of Hammond in the hopes of attracting more attendees to downtown events and businesses, creating new excitement for the downtown district.

“There is a momentum in Downtown Hammond that we have not experienced in a long time,” said Taillon. “Businesses and organizations are now realizing the financial and logistical benefits to relocating in Downtown Hammond, and the Hohman Avenue Beautification project is just the beginning.”

Event details are as follow:

Hohman Avenue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

*Tuesday, June 5, 2012
*10 a.m. CST
*Northeast corner of the new parking lot on Hohman Avenue between Sibley and RImbach Street, Hammond, Indiana

The event is free and open to the public.