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Kirkwood's Graduate Hotel Wins Plan Commission Approval

The city plan commission approved construction Monday night of a 146 room boutique hotel on Bloomington's Kirkwood Avenue.

Hotel developer Tim Franzen most likely knew many of the people packed in city chambers were against the proposed Graduate Hotel. That was confirmed from moans and groans of the crowd when he noted a $75,000 fund from Old National Bank would help with the anticipated parking problems nearby churches will face when the project begins construction.

The hotel needed 5 votes to win approval. Jack Baker, Scott Burgins, Susan Fernandes, Chris Smith and Phil Peden voted yes. John Carter, Chris Sturbaum and Pat Williams voted no after more than a dozen community members spoke out against the scope and design of the proposal.

"I speak now emotionally," says resident Thomas Ustead. "Because I love this quirky, delightful city. And to plunk that development down in that vital area, it changes things we can't anticipate."

Valerie Merriam questioned why the city established downtown development standards if it wasn't going to enforce them.

"I want you to think if you've asked all these members of our community year after year after year to participate, then why ignore what they've given you."

This was the third commission meeting over the project after church goers near the proposed development voiced concerns the hotel would take up all of the parking they've used on a ‘hand-shake deal' for years.

Many argued the proposed hotel would fit better next to the Convention Center, but Visit Bloomington Tourism Director Mike McAfee said the average rate of $180 a night for this hotel is too expensive for groups and it wouldn't fit as convention center headquarters.

The commission thought about adding a parking amendment, but decided to leave things as developer Franzen said at the beginning of his presentation.

"We've had nothing but I think positive discussions with the churches on the subject, and we continue to do so. This is not a bait and switch. We want to be good community members."

Franzen says they are still figuring out how to get around the state law that prohibits liquor sales within 200 feet of a church, but says if it's not viable, the hotel would then redesign some banquet areas to more guest rooms.

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