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Bloomington council backs land swap talks, reviews Flock camera contracts and reaffirms opposition to North Park jail site
Summary
Multiple council members expressed support for a proposed land swap that could enable a CIB hotel site; Police Chief Mike Deoff discussed amended Flock camera contracts and said disconnecting power would make reactivation difficult; the council passed a resolution reaffirming opposition to the North Park site for a new jail after public comment comparing renovation and new-build costs.
At its April 22 meeting the Bloomington City Council included multiple items of local consequence: council members voiced support for a proposed land swap that could facilitate development near the convention center, Police Chief Mike Deoff updated council members on amended Flock camera contracts and access plans, and the council passed a resolution reaffirming opposition to the North Park site for a new jail.
Council member Dave Row said he supports the land swap between Seminary Point and College Square, arguing it could deliver community benefits even if market values are not strictly one-to-one.
Police Chief Mike Deoff answered questions from Council Member Isabelle Petemont Smith about whether Flock cameras could be turned off before contracts expire and how feed access would be restricted. "If we decide to turn them off, it would be hard for them to turn them on if we disconnect the power," Deoff said, and he added the mayor had expressed a desire to discontinue use of any Flock product.
During public comment a resident provided cost comparisons arguing renovation of an existing facility could be substantially less than new construction; the council then passed the North Park opposition resolution unanimously.
Kristen Wida, CEO of the Indiana Uplands Realtors Association, later described Hopewell development scenarios and said that under the proposed PUD without amendments the same land could support 98 smaller homes with an average price of about $200,000, while additional requirements tend to add cost and reduce housing supply.
The council scheduled its next meeting for May 6.
