The city released a new concept Thursday, a little more than a month after announcing the controversial project will not be completed this year.
The new design features horizontally stacked limestone about 10 feet high with the word “Bloomington” mounted in letters – a stark contrast to the 40-foot-tall aluminum monolith the city originally wanted to build.
It's not yet clear how wide the structure will be, though the city estimates about 40 feet, depending on where exactly it will be placed.
Tim Street, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed the city has abandoned the original design concept.
“I think this updated concept answers a lot of the feedback that we received and takes into account a lot of what people were asking for and saying about the project,” Street said. “So, certainly, we’re looking to move forward and build off this concept to a final product.”
Street said the redesign will not bring any additional cost, however.
About $1.25 million was set aside for the project. That includes a $395,105 contract with bo-mar Industries for structural design, fabrication and installation; a $575,000 contract with Reed & Sons Construction for site work; and a $133,925 contract with Rundell Ernstberger Associates for designs.
To date, the city has paid $32,628 to bo-mar and $13,759 to Reed & Sons, even though the original concept won’t be implemented.
Street said the only work the city is paying for that won’t be implemented is for the structural design of the original gateway. He did not provide an exact amount, however.
“Design costs are hard to quantify exactly,” Street said. “A lot of the design that went into the original site plan and gateway itself is still valid, and we’re still able to use that. We’re working to make sure our contract with Reed & Sons, we get the maximum value for the city out of that. I think the site improvements, overall, we’re still able to move forward with.”
This concept was developed as part of the original gateway design process. Some elements may be incorporated into the final design. (Courtesy, City of Bloomington)
This project has a five-year history but did not gather widespread controversy until September, after the city released the original designs.
Residents who rallied against the plan said the monolith was unattractive, did not represent Bloomington’s character, cost too much and isn’t being put in a suitable location.
Street said the new design will not satisfy everyone but implements public feedback.
“A lot of the feedback we received was, ‘Why don’t we feature more limestone?’” Street said. “That is something that we can work with, and certainly as a part of the fabric of Bloomington and the area around Bloomington, we see it a lot.”
Although the city has faced setbacks on the project, Street said much of the work done so far is still valid.
“We’re not back to square one,” Street said. “What would need to happen from here is we would need to amend the contract with (Rundell Ernstberger Associates) to take this conceptual design, incorporate public feedback (and) other feedback received to the final construction document.”
The Board of Park Commissioners will consider a contract addendum at its Dec. 12 meeting.
That board must also approve a contract for the gateway’s installation. A separate request for construction quotes for the updated gateway will be used to select a contractor.
From there, the city’s Board of Public Works would have to approve the sidewalk and street closure related to the project. The original design failed to move forward because the board did not vote on a right-of-way closure.
The city is now accepting feedback on the new design through Dec. 15.
Written comments can be submitted online, emailed to parks@bloomington.in.gov, or mailed to Parks and Recreation at P.O. Box 848, Bloomington, IN 47402. They can also be shared by phone at 812-349-3700.
