Transportation and Infrastructure Development
Our ability to move about expeditiously is an essential requirement for economic success and quality of life. Without key infrastructure elements, economic growth is restricted and our quality of life may be impaired.

The Chamber advocates:
Completing I-69: The completion of a modern interstate highway from Indianapolis to Bloomington and Evansville and on to the Mexican border is an important factor in Bloomington's future success and that of the communities in the southwest quadrant of the state. City and county officials and business leaders should support this highway and be ready to commit fiscal and other resources to ensure its completion.

Downtown Parking: Parking downtown is inadequate to support existing and planned development. It is essential that creative parking solutions be implemented. New parking garages deserve priority attention and resource allocation. This will be particularly important as WonderLab, Indiana Theatre, and other attractions are developed.

State Road 46: The continued progress on this artery is extraordinarily important to the county. We must continue to press for its completion.

Cross-Town Travel: East-west travel is becoming increasingly difficult as the community grows. Community leaders must give high priority to developing east-west thoroughfares.

College Mall Traffic: The plan to convert College Mall Road to a "super two" thoroughfare is completely inconsistent with need. To adequately service College Mall area developments, and to interface effectively with the planned improvements to the 45/46 bypass, College Mall Road must move traffic efficiently. It should be four lanes, and Clarizz Boulevard should be extended to Moores Pike.

45/46 Bypass: The planned improvements to the 45/46 bypass are of extraordinary importance to the community and the university. Both parties should work closely together to ensure that the state makes the improvements as soon as possible. Improvements should serve the interests of both the community and the university.

Public Transportation: A solution to some of our community transportation problems is improved public transportation. It is essential that university, city, and county officials develop coordinated transportation plans. Consolidation of resources makes sense and will result in lower costs and greater efficiency.

Rail Right of Ways: As rail right of ways are abandoned, governments and economic development agencies should take control of these vital resources. Their eventual value as transportation, utility, and recreation corridors is very high.

Storm Water Utility: Our community has an expensive, hidden problem - dealing with storm water. Increased development and tighter environmental restrictions mandate that we deal with the problem. Because of its high cost, a storm water utility may be required to provide necessary revenue.

West Side Infrastructure: The west side, especially the Second and Third street corridors, are developing very quickly. Infrastructure investments are not keeping up. Emphasis must be placed on these investments.

Brownfields: The community needs to continue to seek innovative ways to identify and reclaim brownfields. The current city initiative to seek an EPA grant is a good start.

Airport: The Monroe County Airport is an essential element in the economic vitality of our community. Without this important resource several local businesses would be significantly handicapped and might move elsewhere. Government leaders, business leaders, and the community as a whole must do whatever it takes to keep the airport healthy. This does not include wasting resources by trying to attract and retain commuter services, which has repeatedly proven to be unlikely.

Technology Infrastructure: It is not clear that the community has a comprehensive plan to develop the technology infrastructure that will be so essential to economic health in the future. Community leaders from the university, the city, county, contiguous communities, and the business community must develop a plan.

Funding for Infrastructure Development: The current funding for infrastructure development is inadequate. A 1 percent food and beverage tax should be established with most of the proceeds devoted to infrastructure improvements including parking facilities, streetscape improvements, and other community enhancements. To be fair to those who must collect the tax, local restaurateurs should have representation on the commission that decides where revenue is used.

Lake Monroe: No resource is as important to our community as Lake Monroe. It is our only source of water, provides extensive recreational opportunities, captures millions of tourist dollars, and is a symbol of our community. Unfortunately, the lake is at risk from overuse, silting, chemical pollution, and heavy metal contamination. Most disturbing, there is no coordinated, comprehensive process to manage the lake and its watershed. Our county commissioners must develop relationships and processes that will protect the lake. Further, because our water source is dependent on a single line from the lake, plans must be made to develop a redundant feed system.