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RDC approves $424,200 preliminary design contract for Hopewell South after schedule debate
Summary
The Bloomington RDC voted 4–1 Feb. 2 to approve a not-to-exceed $424,200 engineering contract to prepare subdivision and infrastructure design for Hopewell South, while commissioners pressed staff for phased spending reports and schedule safeguards to avoid wasted costs if zoning changes.
The Bloomington Regional Development Commission voted 4–1 on Feb. 2 to authorize an engineering contract not to exceed $424,200 for preliminary design, subdivision documents and infrastructure work at the Hopewell South development.
Kendall Kenoki, City of Bloomington engineering, told the commission the scope covers roadway reconstruction (including Fairview and Jackson Street), internal streets, utilities and an early lot-line adjustment for parcels west of Fairview. "The fee is not to exceed amount of 424,200," Kenoki said, adding that Crossroad Engineers will perform the work.
The commission’s approval followed extended questioning about timing and risk. Commissioners pressed whether staff should begin design work before the Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Plan Commission approvals are final, citing the potential for scope changes that could increase costs or require work to be paused. Kenoki said many early civil tasks — survey, drainage coordination, lot-line adjustments and initial stormwater work — are necessary regardless of a final zoning decision and can move forward, and staff can pause consultant work if the PUD changes.
Commissioners requested stronger safeguards on spending and reporting. In discussion they urged that staff provide phased authorizations, periodic updates on monthly spend against the contract, and the option to pause work if Plan Commission or City Council decisions materially alter the project. One commissioner warned that entering the full amount before final approvals leaves the RDC exposed; others said delaying could threaten the summer building season.
The commission approved the resolution with the expectation that engineering will provide regular updates and limit work to tasks the board has effectively approved while the PUD moves through Plan Commission and City Council. The project schedule discussed at the meeting anticipates permit issuance for homes in the spring and infrastructure construction by August, though Kenoki acknowledged the schedule in the packet was a consultant estimate and likely too conservative or in need of amendment.
Next steps: engineering will begin identified preliminary tasks, provide periodic updates to the RDC on spending and schedule, and bring any necessary amendments to contract timeline or scope back to the commission for approval.
