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Council approves tri-party development agreement to extend Cornelius Drive and add public infrastructure
Summary
The Bloomington City Council approved a tri-party development agreement with the Carl Foundation and Deneen Brothers Farm LLC to build a health-oriented campus, extend roads and create roughly $6 million in public infrastructure; the city will waive some fees and accept a basin for maintenance.
Mayor Brady and city staff presented and the council approved an ordinance authorizing a tri-party development agreement among the City of Bloomington, the Carl Foundation and Deneen Brothers Farm LLC.
Deputy City Manager Billy Tayas and Director Kelly Pfeiffer described the proposal as a regional health-care campus with three conceptual medical buildings, an extension of Cornelius Drive and new public trail connections to the Constitution Trail. Kelly Pfeiffer said Carl would build private roads and site infrastructure that the city would ultimately accept as public, and that the partners expect to create about $6,000,000 in public infrastructure tied to the project.
Kelly Pfeiffer told the council the developer’s on-site investment was approximately $4,900,000 and that the city would waive 50% of development fees with a cap of $600,000. The city would also pay for oversizing costs for part of Cornelius Drive’s northern sidewalk, accept ownership of the Central Basin after certain repairs, and expects an out-of-pocket cost of about $165,000 for the missing Cornelius segment and trail oversizing. The agreement includes a mechanism for the developer to provide $100,000 toward basin maintenance.
Tayas said Carl has agreed to build the Cornelius Drive extension within three years, with substantial completion generally expected about two years after construction begins. Tayas and Pfeiffer emphasized the investment completes a long‑planned Empire Street corridor connection.
During council discussion, Member Montney moved to approve the ordinance; a second was recorded and the council took an electronic vote. The clerk announced the motion passed; Member Ward had recused herself from the vote.
The ordinance authorizes staff to finalize the agreement and directs the city to accept the public improvements when they meet the city’s construction and repair standards. The council and staff said they will follow up on detailed drafting language in the lease and related documents.
The council’s approval advances the Carl Foundation’s planned expansion and the city’s stated goal of supporting Bloomington as a regional health-care destination. The city will monitor delivery of the Cornelius extension and the agreed maintenance funding for the basin.
