HAMMOND | Members of the city's Redevelopment Commission will meet in a special session Tuesday evening, in an effort to get federal dollars allocated before losing them.

Speaking to commissioners recently, Dennis Radowski, who manages the Neighborhood Stabilization Program for the city, said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development wants all monies awarded to renovate or demolish foreclosed or abandoned homes obligated by Friday. The department then will review each community's plans for accuracy and correctness in spending.

Director of Planning and Development Phil Taillon said while dollars not obligated on time could be recaptured by the federal government, once the deadline is met, the city can get back on pace completing agreements to purchase and renovate decrepit homes throughout the city.

"This program, for me, is a great program for the city of Hammond, with what it's going to do for the neighborhoods," Taillon said.

Radowski said in order to meet the deadline, solid purchase agreements need to be in place, as well as contracts for some renovation work.

With commissioners not scheduled to meet again until after the deadline, Radowski asked for conditional approval to accept contracts from the lowest, most responsive bidders.

Attorney David Westland said since no dollars were being spent, just allocated, the plan would be adequate. Commissioners, though, want to see the plans before granting any approval.

"I don't like the idea of giving blanket approval for bids with no one looking at them," Commissioner Phil Golden said.

Commission Chair McKinley Nutall agreed and scheduled a special meeting for 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Department of Planning and Development, 640 Conkey St.