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Bloomington council approves purchase, demolition and donation agreements for downtown Front and Center and Commerce Bank sites
Summary
The Bloomington City Council approved agreements to acquire the Front and Center, Elks and related properties for $3,929,189.14, and to accept donation of the Commerce Bank building, clearing the way for demolition, short-term surface parking and continued efforts to secure redevelopment.
The Bloomington City Council on March 17 approved agreements to acquire multiple long-vacant downtown parcels — including the Front and Center and Elks buildings — for $3,929,189.14 and to accept the donated Commerce Bank building, with city officials saying the moves are intended to clear blighted sites and enable future redevelopment.
City Manager Jurgens said the administration had tried for years to attract redevelopment and “we agree with a lot of what you're saying, and we have tried for years to get this property redeveloped.” He told the council the contracts aim to get the properties under the city’s control so they can be cleared and marketed for higher uses.
Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus said parking is a short-term outcome, not the long-term plan. “We know that parking as the manager said is not the highest and best use,” Tyus said, adding the city expects the surface…
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