Council approves two downtown redevelopment deals, adopts FY2026 budget, names honorary streets and appoints mayor pro tem

Bloomington City Council on April 25 approved two redevelopment agreements intended to add nearly 400 housing units downtown and in the Empire Street corridor, adopted the city—s fiscal year 2026 budget and approved two honorary street designations and a mayor pro tem appointment.

The council approved redevelopment agreements for (1) UEP Bloomington, LLC to convert the former State Farm building into 183 residential units and ground-floor retail, and (2) Holiday Properties— project on the former Verizon/Empire site for roughly 210 apartments across multiple buildings. Both measures passed in regular session with no nays announced. The council also adopted the FY2026 budget and enacted two honorary street namings; it appointed Councilmember Molly Ward as mayor pro tem by a 5–3 vote with one abstention.

The redevelopment agreement with UEP will convert the historic former State Farm building into a mix of 11 studios, 159 one-bedroom and 13 two-bedroom apartments, plus a high-end restaurant on the 13th floor and retail on the first floor. Under terms described by city staff, the city will reimburse a substantial portion of the project—s TIF…