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Bloomington council approves letter urging RDC to prioritize public benefit, including affordable housing, for College Square
Summary
The Bloomington Common Council voted unanimously to send a letter to the Redevelopment Commission saying College Square can be used for a convention-center hotel only if the RDC recoups acquisition costs or the community secures significant public benefits—particularly preservation or provision of low-income housing such as saving Seminary Point.
The Bloomington Common Council on Wednesday approved a letter to the Redevelopment Commission clarifying the council’s position on the future of the College Square property and urging solutions that preserve or create affordable housing.
Council Member Pedmont Smith read the letter aloud, saying the council expects the RDC to recoup the $6,895,000 the commission spent to acquire College Square but that the council would consider a below‑market disposition if “significant public benefit can be gained,” citing the preservation or provision of low‑income housing as an example.
The letter lists three options for leveraging College Square to advance affordability: develop affordable housing on the site; exchange College Square for nearby land owned by the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) to preserve housing at the Seminary Point site; or sell at market rate and reinvest proceeds in affordable housing. It specifically recommended that the RDC consider a May 18 proposal from Bloomington Homes for All and the Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America that would involve a land exchange with the CIB.
Supporters in the chamber and online framed the proposal as time‑sensitive. Bryce Green of Bloomington DSA/Bloomington Homes for All told the council the Seminary Point leases are set to be extended only to Aug. 31 and urged rapid action to prevent tenants and small businesses from leaving. Several council members said they favor the land‑swap approach to preserve Seminary Point but raised fiscal questions about the value differences between College Square and Seminary Point and about avoiding an undue subsidy for the convention center project.
After public comment and council discussion, the council voted to approve the letter. Clerk roll call recorded an 8‑yes result.
What happens next: The letter goes to the RDC. Activists plan a public presentation June 20 and asked council members to press the RDC and CIB for negotiations and rapid action in light of looming lease expirations.
