As part of an effort to revise its strategic plan, the Bloomington Arts Commission is seeking feedback via an online survey.

The brief survey takes 2-5 minutes to complete. It asks several freeform questions about your awareness of the commission, what you'd like the commission to do for the city's residents, and what the commission might do to become better known in the community.

Click here to take the survey.

​The commission's 2017-2019 strategic plan is available online here.

A lively discussion on the proposed local income tax increase was the focus of the March 6 WFIU Noon Edition. Panelists included Mary Morgan, the Chamber's Director of Advocacy & Public Policy; Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton; Bloomington City Councilmember Matt Flaherty; and Ellettsville Town Councilmember William Ellis.

Click here to listen.

The panel was moderated by WFIU's Bob Zaltsberg and Sara Wittmeyer, who also took questions from listeners calling in or emailing.

​The Chamber has not yet taken a position on the income tax proposal, as few details have been provided about how the money would be spent in the proposed Sustainability Investment Fund. We continue to advocate for transparency and accountability in all aspects of government, as well as for broad public engagement in decision-making.

An overview of the proposed Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan – including several recommendations to lower the use of single-occupancy vehicles – was presented to Bloomington City Council at their March 4, 2020 meeting. 

​Justin Schor of Wells + Associates, the transportation consulting firm hired by the city, made the presentation. Click here to view his slidedeck, or watch it on CATS here. The full report will be available on the city's TDM website.

Short-term recommendations include providing a carpool matching service, a "guaranteed ride home" service, education and marketing about transportation options, and an increase in the cost of parking by 50% or more. 

To implement and manage the city's TDM program, Schor recommended 2.5 employees, including a TDM director, manager and a part-time coordinator. The program's budget is estimated at nearly $500,000 annually. The council would need to vote to approve the program and identify revenues to support it.

The Chicago firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been selected to handle master planning for redevelopment of the 24-acre old hospital site, in a deal approved by the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission on March 2. Click here to read a copy of the agreement.

​The RDC approved a $410,000 master planning agreement as part of a $10 million project for that site, which the city will acquire in 2021 following the Indiana University Health System's relocation to its new complex on the 46 bypass.

SOM's master plan is expected to be done by the end of 2020. The process will include public input beginning in April.