The City of Bloomington Redevelopment Commission on Dec. 1 debated a resolution (25-136) that would signal the commission's willingness to make part or all of the College Square property available to a host hotel for the Bloomington Convention Center, then voted unanimously to table the amended version until its Dec. 15 meeting to allow public review and additional materials.

Staff told commissioners the property was selected by the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) as the preferred host-hotel site and that multiple deal structures were examined over the past year (shared equity, long-term leases, land donation). Legal counsel warned the commission that unconditional language could obligate the RDC; counsel proposed changing firm language ("would be made available") to "may be made available" to preserve RDC discretion and require evaluation against the city's economic-development interests.

Why it matters: Commissioners were wrestling with a large financing shortfall developers say is needed for a full-service, 200-room host hotel. Staff and CIB representatives say incentives will be necessary to attract the level of private investment the RFP envisioned. Opponents say the RDC should not "give away" city land or public funds without fuller public review or alternatives.

Staff and counsel emphasized the resolution is a signaling tool, not a final deal. John Weichard, president of the Capital Improvement Board, told the commission the site is the best fit for a walkable host hotel and cited market analysis estimating $9 million (and up to $13'$18 million by some calculations) in new annual revenue and up to 500 jobs tied to a successful expansion; he urged the RDC to support options that close the funding gap.

Several public speakers and council members urged caution. "This seems like a bad way to treat the taxpayers," said Greg Alexander during public comment, urging stronger protections and pedestrian connectivity. A council member in attendance said a May 6, 2024 letter signed by eight of nine councilors expressed opposition to further taxpayer funding beyond the food-and-beverage tax and asked to be consulted on land-use commitments.

Commissioners debated alternatives including deferred payments, long-term land leases with staged payments, and reduced project scope. Commissioners voted to adopt the amended "may" version of the resolution as the working text for discussion and then moved to table that amended resolution to the Dec. 15 meeting so the public and commissioners could review the revised packet and a staff memo in advance. Staff committed to circulate the memo and the revised language before the next meeting and to allow those who testified tonight to speak again.

What's next: The RDC scheduled further consideration for Dec. 15 and proposed a Dec. 10 work session to walk stakeholders through the memo and respond to questions. If the RDC advances a position then, any final terms to provide land, lease or other incentives would still need specific approvals and could require involvement or consent of other city or CIB bodies.

Provenance: topicintro: SEG 555, topfinish: SEG 2273

Speakers quoted or relied on in this article: Dana Kerr (legal counsel), John Weichard (CIB president), Greg Alexander (public commenter), Isabelle Pete Moss Smith (council member, public commenter).