A new apartment complex at the Johnson Creamery site will add 58 apartments in a 5-story building that also includes retail space facing the BLine.

The site is now a parking lot for the Johnson Creamery's office complex, which will remain – and where the Chamber's offices were previously located. It is between 7th and 8th Streets just west of the BLine.

There will be 27 studio units, 22 one-bedroom units, 5 two-bedroom units and 6 three-bedroom units, totaling 77 bedrooms. In addition, there will be 2,600 space of first-floor retail, 36 parking spaces under the building, and a green roof. 

The Bloomington Plan Commission gave unanimous approval to the project at their July 13 meeting. Click here to read more.

The Monroe County Public Library is updating its strategic plan and asking residents to help shape their future work.

The plan, for 2021-2023, will guide MCPL's technology, programs, partnerships and materials. Click here to read the current 2018-2020 plan.

​Click here to take the survey.

You can also give public commentary at the monthly meetings of the MCPL board of trustees. Their next meeting is on July 15 at 5:45 p.m. More info here.

At their June 23 meeting, the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved a $72,500 contract with Troyer Group Inc. to develop the Parks & Recreation 2021-2025 master plan. 

Jonathon Geels with Mishawaka-based Troyer Group was on hand to describe the firm's work, including public engagement efforts that will include a combination of in-person meetings and the use of Miro, an online collaboration system. 

A master plan is required in order to receive grants from the state and federal government and other sources. It is also required for accreditation from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

The funding for this project comes from the parks department's general fund budget.

Click here to watch the board's discussion of this item on CATS. More details are in the meeting packet, pages 53-65.

This was the first meeting for the board's newest commissioner, Ellen Rodkey. She also serves on the Chamber's board of directors.

The City of Bloomington is creating a protected bike lane along 7th Street from Woodlawn to the B-Line, and is holding a public forum on Thursday, June 18 to get input from residents. The event starts at 6 p.m.

​Called the "7-Line," the project would add physical barriers between the bike lane, located on the south side of 7th, and auto traffic. It would also remove all metered parking from Woodlawn to College. Bus frequency along this corridor (Route 6) would increase. Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint is the design consultant for this initiative, which is envisioned eventually to extend east of the IU campus.

To participate in the June 18 forum, click this Zoom link or watch on Facebook. Can't make the meeting? Give online feedback here.

​Find more information on the project website.

A forum on Tuesday, June 16 will focus on getting input for the redevelopment of a 24-acre site where the IU Health Bloomington Hospital is now located. The City of Bloomington will be taking over ownership of that area in 2021.

The public forum starts at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is required – click here to register. The event will also be livestreamed on the city's Facebook page.

​Unable to attend? Give your input by taking this online survey.

​Click here to view the project's website.

Sign applications fees in Bloomington will be waived through Sept. 30, following action by Plan Commissioners on June 8. The move is one of several actions that the city is taking to help local businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

​The fee waiver applies to  temporary signs ($75 per application) and permanent signs ($125 per application).

In presenting the proposal, city attorney Mike Rouker noted that this was one of several requests made by the Chamber on behalf of the business community.

Watch the June 8, 2020 Plan Commission meeting here.
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As part of the process to update the Monroe County Consolidated Development Ordinance (CDO), county planning staff are asking residents to participate in focus groups in the coming months.

The focus groups are organized into these topics:

• Affordable Housing/Neighborhood Development
• Environmental Protections
• Engineering/Surveyors/Realtors/Architect/Land Use Lawyers
• Historic Preservation
• Citizen Advisory (made up of County residents)
• Economic Development
• Agricultural Provisions

Click here to sign up for a CDO focus group. Get more information about the CDO process here.

On June 1, the City of Bloomington will launch a revamped website for public input on the redevelopment of the Bloomington hospital site.

Consultants hired to develop a master plan – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill  – will be meeting with stakeholders later this month. They'll also host an online "town hall" on June 16 at 6 p.m.

Details about all public engagement efforts will be posted on the hospital redevelopment site starting June 1.

Wednesday, May 27 is the kickoff for the overhaul of Monroe County's zoning, known as the CDO (consolidated development ordinance). Party down, right?

Consultants hired by the county – McBride Dale Clarion – will give a presentation to the County Plan Commission starting at 5:30 p.m. On the 27th you can join the Zoom meeting here .

Check out the county's CDO site for more information.