By: Diane Benjamin
The Coliseum and the BCPA were both suppose to revitalize downtown. So was the new library and other projects. Millions of dollars have been spent while empty buildings like Front & Center have been deserted for many years. That building has been on a list of condemned buildings for almost a year: https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/30177/638715108759070000
Is it really a good look for local government to TRIPLE water rates over 3 years and then spend another $12,000,000 to change the Downtown Bloomington streetscape?
Excerpts:
The first phase of the project will revamp four blocks of Main Street, from Jefferson Street to Locust Ave. It will cost around $12 million and take two whole construction seasons to complete.
“It’s going to bring more people downtown, increase foot traffic, and the goal is not just to make downtown nicer, but elevating it in a way that makes it a regional destination,” he said.
The full project, if approved, could revamp around 70 blocks of Bloomington’s downtown area. The estimated total cost is around $80 million.
I hope the Council pauses this project when the first phase is done to see if “more people” and increased “foot traffic” actually happen.
Everything depends on this election. You can NOT VOTE, Vote for Common Sense candidates, or vote for those who spend your money based on feelings.
Early voting starts February 20th. If you can’t find time to vote in 40 days you deserve whatever happens.
From the Downtown For Everyone website: https://downtownforeveryone.com/renders/#start
I have a two-letter word answer for that.
Other than a few restaurants and a lot of bars there is no reason to go downtown! Maybe for the money they are spending they could add a riverwalk!!
If the picture is an indication they will paint stripes on the road and move the parking from the east side of the street to the west side. Hopefully they’ll have enough street-side tables and chairs so I can find a place to sit and stare in amazement.
The only people seeing a standard of living improvement from this project are the consultants 🤑
The more people will be the construction workers and the COB grandstanders
The increased foot traffic will be the same as above due to a lack of reasonable parking and the streets being downgraded to Utopian standards
I think the one’s that want the revitalization of downtown have little at stake except for the local downtown’s who live in the immediate area. If this project is so important and financially viable, why is the City pumping money and changing its‘vision’?
Be careful Janet the idiots that run our city are capable of taking your idea seriously and they will build a river walk. After all you are talking about a group that instead of just replacing a worn out pool on the west side they spent over $11 million to build a stupid water park!
If you build it they will come….and stay (or not)
Either way consultants make the green $ and taxpayers need to suck it up lol
Lipstick on a pig it’s still a pig!