HAMMOND | The Redevelopment Commission has given the green light to the expansion of the FedEx operation in North Hammond's West Point Industrial Park.

According to the development plan approved Tuesday, the project will retain 76 full-time jobs and is expected to create another 14.

The additional investment by FedEx is projected at $1.5 million.

The commission's approval comes in the wake of an announcement by the Lang Ice Co. to move its operations from East Chicago to the park, investing more than $1 million in the property and adding jobs.

The 160-acre industrial park, once so polluted it made the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund list, is bounded by 141st Street to the north, Gostlin Street on the south, White Oak Avenue on the east and Columbia Avenue.

The FedEx project is located at 1515 Gostlin St., east of Columbia Avenue.

The development does encourage the protection of wetlands at the southwest corner of the site, according to a recommendation provided to the commission by City Planner Brian Poland.

Less than a decade ago, the site was a wasteland, but today FedEx is one of four businesses at the park. The others are Crown Enterprises, Envirosystems and Hulcher. Lang is expected to begin operations next fall.

Last year, the commission transferred the remaining 30 acres of the park to the Hammond Urban Enterprise Association to expedite development.

On Tuesday, regarding the expansion of FedEx, Rick Calinski, executive director of planning and development, said in the world of development, new businesses and jobs are thought of first, but retention of those businesses and jobs are equally important and to be appreciated.