HAMMOND | Worries of increased gang violence and an escalating construction price tag were some of the concerns expressed Wednesday about plans for a new facility that would consolidate Hammond and Gavit high schools.

Dozens of parents and community members crowded the cafeteria of Warren G. Harding Elementary School for the final of three forums on the proposal.

Chuck McCoy, of the architectural firm Fanning Howey, gave a presentation on the current state of Gavit and Hammond high schools. He cited deteriorating building conditions, the failure of the existing buildings to meet today's standards for schools and other reasons the city needs a $75 million high school to replace Gavit and Hammond.

All three options McCoy presented would create a campus encompassing Eggers Middle School, the Hammond Area Career Center and the current Hammond High School. All three options also would require obtaining 47 businesses and homes along Calumet Avenue for the construction of the new campus.

All three plans leave the future of the existing Hammond High School building in the air. McCoy said repurposing the building would be the most cost-effective option.

The goal is to have the new school open in time for the 2012-13 school year.

Hammond 6th District Councilman Homero "Chico" Hinojosa expressed a number of concerns, including the fear the $75 million price tag for the project will escalate during construction. Hinojosa also was worried about an increase in gang violence when the two school populations merge.

"My biggest concern is when you get a new high school, is the safety of the students," Hinojosa said.

Hammond Superintendent Walter Watkins responded to Hinojosa's worry over costs possibly escalating by assuring the audience the price tag will remain the same throughout the project.

"We are not East Chicago or the civil city," Watkins said. "If you look, not once has a School City project gone over budget. Not once."

Dawn Tomich, Hessville-based community activist and Hammond native, supported the new school but was worried the city's other high schools will be neglected.

"If I have a child that goes to Clark or Morton, should I be worried because they do not have all of the technology that they will have at the new school?" Tomich asked.

Watkins responded by assuring Tomich that improving the classrooms and technology in all of the city's schools was in the planning, but the new high school project is the priority.