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Mill repairs underway; staff proposes interior reconfiguration and leases office at the Forge to K23 Films
Summary
Redevelopment staff reported masonry and south‑wall repairs at the Mill (Forge) and described planning work to reconfigure interior space using Lilly Endowment grant funds; the commission approved an annual lease (with three one‑year renewal options) to K23 Films for a small turnkey office at the Forge with a June 1 start date.
City staff updated the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission on repairs and planning at the Mill and sought approval to lease a small office at the Forge to a local film and creative services company.
STRUCTURAL REPAIRS: Staff said repair work on the Mill’s south wall is underway, including brick and masonry replacement and temporary shoring; as a result, event space at the Mill will be offline for several weeks. Staff said the city’s teams have been coordinating to make the space safe and to return the facility to operation as soon as possible.
GRANT‑FUNDED PLANNING AND POSSIBLE INTERIOR EXPANSION: Staff reminded commissioners that the Mill and partners, including Indiana University Bloomington, received Lilly Endowment funding to study capacity expansion. Staff said they have engaged a local architectural firm to reimagine interior spaces as a way to expand usable offices and small office space without a large physical addition, and that any plan would return to the redevelopment commission for approval. Staff said the plan will be coordinated with the university and the grant’s administration team.
LEASE AT THE FORGE: The commission approved Resolution 25‑56 to lease a small, already built‑out office at the Forge to K23 Films Incorporated. Staff said the lease is an annual agreement with three one‑year renewal options and standard financial terms; the tenant planned to start June 1. Staff framed the lease as a way to keep a locally based company in the Trades District and generate modest revenue.
VOTE: The commission approved Resolution 25‑56 by unanimous voice vote.
Ending: Staff said they expect to present interior planning options to the commission in the coming weeks and will coordinate any changes with the Lilly Endowment reporting requirements and Indiana University.
