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Commission backs $69,700 AV and technology upgrade for the Mill event hall
Summary
The Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved a $69,700 payment to support AV and technology upgrades at the Mill event hall requested by Amplify Bloomington; commissioners debated whether the work should be a tenant or RDC capital expense and discussed warranty and life‑cycle costs.
Amplify Bloomington asked the Redevelopment Commission on June 1 to support a $69,700 investment to upgrade audiovisual and event‑space technology at the Mill.
John Fernandez, representing Amplify Bloomington, said the Mill’s existing equipment dates to the original 2018 redevelopment and is now out of date. "What we're asking for is support from the RDC for $69,700 to upgrade and install new AV and technology for the event hall at the Mill," Fernandez said, noting the current renovation program includes roughly $867,000 in grant funding to expand capacity and improve the property.
Commissioners questioned lease language that assigns responsibility for technology replacement to the tenant and discussed whether the RDC should fund a capital improvement now so the wiring and integration can be installed during current renovations. Legal counsel noted the lease’s Exhibit B states the tenant is responsible for replacement of information‑technology equipment, but that an RDC payment structured as a capital improvement could allow the tenant to manage installation, warranties and service directly.
Commissioners also asked about equipment lifespan and ongoing replacement costs; Fernandez estimated five to ten years for the selected package and said the recommended vendor’s proposal includes staff training, three years of service and a three‑year guarantee. Commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to approve the payment.
Next steps: staff will process the payment and coordinate procurement and installation with the tenant and vendor; Amplify Bloomington expects to include the technology installation in the current Mill renovation schedule and to hold a grand reopening later this summer.
