Bloomington RDC delays vote on College Square host-hotel support, opts for 'may' language and schedules Dec. 15 follow-up

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission debated a resolution (25-136) on Dec. 1, 2025 to signal support for a convention-center host hotel on the College Square property but voted to table final action until its Dec. 15 meeting after choosing a revised “may” version for discussion.

Staff said the hotelier selected by the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) preferred the College Square site because of its proximity to the convention center and walkable downtown assets, but that a “very significant financial gap” remains that staff and commissioners have tried to address through multiple incentive structures including shared equity, land donation and long-term land leases (staff overview, staff comments). Legal counsel advised revising an earlier “would” commitment to “may” so the RDC would retain discretion to evaluate whether an offer furthers the city’s economic-development interests (Dana Kerr).

The meeting revealed sharp differences in perspective. John Weichard, president of the Capital Improvement Board, urged support and cited market studies projecting between $9 million and $18 million in new annual revenue and roughly 500 new jobs associated with a full-service, 200-room host hotel, calling the proposal “an investment, and not a loss” (John Weichard). By contrast, several city council members and many public commenters said the RDC should not signal willingness to give away or transfer the city-owned property without clearer public process and council involvement. City Council member Isabelle Pete Moss Smith reminded the commission that eight of nine council members had signed a May 6, 2024 letter opposing use of general taxpayer funds for the hotel beyond the food-and-beverage tax and said the RDC should be “looped in, at least as a courtesy” and consulted about the disposition of taxpayer-paid land (Isabelle Pete Moss Smith).

Public commenters framed the issue as both process and stewardship concerns. Greg Alexander called the plan a “boondoggle,” criticized the timing and public notification, and urged stronger pedestrian connections to the Beeline transit infrastructure rather than building new car-focused corridors (Greg Alexander). Other members of the public recommended alternatives such as long-term city ownership with a nominal lease rather than a transfer of ownership.

Counsel and staff repeatedly clarified that the revised “may” language does not obligate the RDC to transfer property and would preserve discretion to negotiate lease terms, nominal payments or deferred-payment structures; staff also warned against publicly disclosing exact subsidy-gap figures because doing so can hurt negotiating leverage (Dana Kerr, staff discussion). Staff confirmed the city’s purchase price for the property is included in the revised packet and was referenced during public comment ($6,895,000).

Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt version 2 (the “may” language) as the working draft for discussion and then unanimously moved to table the resolution to the Dec. 15 meeting so the public can review the revised language and so staff can prepare a short memo and presentation for a planned Dec. 10 work session (motions and votes). The commission’s action leaves the CIB and hotel developer to continue negotiations in parallel; counsel said if the deal fails the CIB could revisit the RFP or alternative sites.

What happens next: the RDC asked staff to circulate a brief memo and slide summary ahead of a Dec. 10 work session and the Dec. 15 RDC meeting; final action on the resolution is scheduled for Dec. 15. If commissioners ultimately approve an incentive that involves the College Square land, any specific deal structure and terms would require separate approval and additional public review.

Quote highlights

"We are committed to doing this if the right project comes along — but it does not obligate you to do anything," legal counsel Dana Kerr said, explaining the difference between "may" and "shall."

"A full service 200-room host hotel is a requirement," John Weichard, president of the Capital Improvement Board, said in support of using incentives to attract the developer.

"Do you wanna stick your necks out for this boondoggle?" public speaker Greg Alexander said during in-person comments, opposing what he called a rushed process.

Ending

Commissioners closed discussion by requesting a written memo and a short slide presentation to be posted before a Dec. 10 work session; formal action on the amended resolution will resume on Dec. 15, 2025.