Bloomington council hears $70 million convention center expansion plan, financing via lease bonds and food-and-beverage revenues

Bloomington Common Council members on Feb. 12 heard detailed designs, schedule and financing plans for a proposed expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center that project leaders said will cost roughly $70 million and could begin construction as early as June 2025.

The council heard architecture and program details from Sarah Hempstead of Schmidt Associates, budget and contingency explanations from CIB staff and consultants, and a financing plan from municipal advisor Buzz Kron that relies on a $50 million lease-rental bond issue supported primarily by city food-and-beverage tax receipts and $20 million of on‑hand food-and-beverage cash.

The project, as described by designers, will add roughly 65,000 square feet including an Exhibit Hall just under 27,000 square feet, flexible partitioned meeting spaces, an elevator and a bridge connector to the existing building. Hempstead said the design targets sustainability (LEED Silver tracking), expanded accessibility, substantial glazing to activate the streetscape, and green‑roof elements; she told the council construction documents should be complete enough to seek bids by July 2025 and that construction could start in June 2025 with final completion targeted for February 2027.

"We're looking at roughly a $70,000,000…