Residents urge Monroe County not to displace Seminary Point tenants as transfer talks continue

Monroe County commissioners heard hours of public comment on March 12 urging them not to displace residents of Seminary Point apartments as county staff and the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) negotiate possible transfers of county‑owned properties purchased with inkeepers tax.

Dozens of speakers—residents, organizers and at least one local business owner—told the board Seminary Point provides rare affordable units close to downtown and campus, and said abrupt lease notices and unclear relocation plans are causing panic. ‘‘They will be forced out of their homes in July,’’ resident Barry Herbers told the board, asking commissioners to explain what the county plans for the site and to renew leases if possible.

Why it matters: The county bought the properties in 2010 with inkeepers tax proceeds to support a future convention‑center expansion. County staff said the CIB has asked to acquire some parcels to create hotel capacity for a larger convention center; commissioners and the county council both must approve any transfer. County staff told the board there are residential tenants across the affected buildings and that the county is exploring relocation options including help from local housing organizations.

What commissioners and staff said: County staff described the request from the CIB and said discussions are ongoing about tenant relocation and lease timing; they emphasized statutory constraints tied to inkeepers tax dollars and the pledge made years ago in partnership with the city. ‘‘We are exploring that transfer,’’ a county official said, noting the council and commissioners will need to approve terms. The board did not vote on a transfer at the meeting.

Community claims and county response: Speakers provided differing counts and details: a county staffer described ‘‘17 residential tenants in those properties through three different buildings,’’ while a public commenter said Seminary Point comprises 29 units. Several residents and organizers urged transferring the property to the city or a community land trust to preserve long‑term affordability; organizer Jesse Lloyd said, ‘‘we’re in the middle of an affordable housing crisis and every step should be taken to preserve and expand affordable housing.’’ A business owner at the site described receiving late notice about lease nonrenewal, saying communications with county staff were inconsistent.

A chamber of commerce representative cautioned that zoning and land‑use tools are also part of the solution: Eric Spoon, president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, said he supported addressing the housing shortage through zoning and development policy changes rather than leaving the county as a long‑term landlord.

Next steps: County officials said any property transfer would require county council action as well as the commissioners’ sign‑off and that negotiations are ongoing. No formal decision was made at the March 12 meeting; staff and elected officials said they will continue discussions and return with more defined proposals.

Provenance: Discussion of the convention‑center property transfer and Seminary Point began in county staff remarks (Monroe County staff described the CIB request) and continued through the public‑comment period, which featured multiple residents and business owners urging preservation of housing.