Speaker 2
Hello, and welcome to ask the mayor on WFIU, I'm Joe Hren. It's the third Wednesday of the month. And so I'm with Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson. Hello, welcome. Thanks for being on the show.
Unknown Speaker
I really like being here.
Speaker 2
So let's just get to a question. Someone emailed in really quick. And I drove by to and saw there's a lot of water coming from a tank that seemed like, I believe it's the CBU. But I'm not sure off the bypass and 17. I know it's kind of random question and if you know much about it, but they were wondering what's going on there? Yes,
Speaker 1
I only have vague details about that. But what is going on there is regular maintenance, as we're obligated to do per the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. And so one of the compartments of that tank needed to be emptied. So the tanks not leaking. It was planned routine maintenance that that we do, and it'll be back up in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2
Okay, that was an email from Trent. Hope that helps Trent. Let's move on to CIB pick the expansion of the center to go to the conference Convention Center to go east or the former or Napa I guess building is right now. The North par was eliminated due to the city wanting reimbursement for that, for that parcel of land. So the next up is the hotel. And they're looking to see what different proposals hotels have for that area. Let's say a hotel would like to go in that North parcel and reimburse the city, the $7 million, is that something the city would be interested in?
Speaker 1
Absolutely. You know, our goal for that whole area is to have a vibrantly developed economic district that is really going to attract not only great conventions and meetings there, but also our locals and other visitors to come to that area and experience. New new hotel but also likely new restaurants and retail that will pop up to to surround and really take advantage of the activity in the area.
Speaker 2
So if those proposals come through, and that doesn't get chosen as a lot for a hotel, what does the city plan to do with
Speaker 1
that? We don't have a plan yet, but the you know, this is this is an active redevelopment district and it's in our TIF and so we would we like to activate that area for the best development of downtown.
Speaker 2
I attended the groundbreaking ceremony at some TWRA formerly known as Baxter, some may know expanding production lines, huge investment, more jobs and great for Bloomington. Governor Holcomb was there. But you know, down the street, I was thinking, you know, Katelyn, we've been reporting hundreds of layoffs. You know, the business climate is really tricky. So how does the city navigate economic activity when you see a biochemical or a biopharmaceutical company expanding and another one getting smaller? Yeah,
Speaker 1
we're really grateful for the expansion of Sintra, and my focus is on really clustered development and which is best practice in economic development. And so that's what is really important about what's going on at the trades district. What is incubating at the mill? You know, Indiana is one of the worst states when it comes to innovation. We have for far too long been reliant just on factory jobs, and manufacturing is great and we need those jobs. And we are smart people here. And we need to innovate and help solve not only our community's problems, but innovate for what the world needs. And so it's really important that, that we find our niche and innovation and that we really develop it well, it's likely going to be related to micro electronics, or BioPharm. Those are the things that we're already doing. But you can also imagine other fields, where people are already innovating. We have great business, develop development going on, around the music industry already. So there are some things that are classically Bloomington, where innovation is happening. And when innovation happens, we give birth to businesses that that offer tiers of jobs. So we get the the C suite, the middle management, and the production workers. And that's what a community really needs to thrive.
Speaker 2
And that's what I remember, we're talking about the build out of the trades district of all those different levels that are needed, you have the small businesses in, in the mill looking to take a step up. And it seems like there aren't many places for that middle step.
Speaker 1
That's right. And that's true not only in in our jobs, but in our housing, right. And so that's why in economic development, you can't do just one thing. You have to you have to create the whole ecosystem. And housing has to come right along with it. And so that's why we're looking at how we develop workforce housing and how we keep it, how do we keep that middle income housing, that is going to sustain our community, and keep those keep those workers here and attract them to come from elsewhere?
Speaker 2
So what's the next step for the trades district? I know there's been talk about a boutique hotel going there. Some say, well, that's not a business, or that's not middle management, what's the and that that land has been vacant for a long time? Yes,
Speaker 1
we're thrilled about this hotel that's coming in, you know, the, the hotel company that is committed to building there is has award winning hotels that are unique. So this is not going to be an out of the box hotel, it's going to have a personality. And with that, this, this company has a history of attracting really pretty high end, dining and bars. And so we need, you know, what we need in this whole district here, not only trades, but all the way down to hope well, along the B line is a diversity of live work, play. And so with the development of this boutique hotel, this district here, the trades district is going to be the place to hang out at lunchtime and after work for our locals and for visitors.
Speaker 2
So then, I guess what you're saying is that you're hoping that will attract businesses? Well,
Speaker 1
it absolutely should attract businesses and, and to be honest, you know, we we need those businesses coming in, not only to the convention center, to have their larger meetings in a hotel like that can can help anchor that. But also the smaller startups and investors want a unique place to stay that's really close to the mill, and we already have so much activity going on there, that having a nother attractive place to stay is is really critical. So
Speaker 2
still a lot going on with the county figuring out where to put a new jail how big it should be? How much do you think the city should be involved with those discussions? And is the city involved with those discussions at all?
Speaker 1
Yes, so we are, you know, I've expressed to the county that we really want to support their efforts. And I think that, while it is a county initiative, certainly it impacts the city. You know, our law enforcement feeds right into that justice system. And, and so we are in active conversation, and we want to do what's best for, for the city and and for the community as a whole. And this is where the city county relationship is really critical. And and, you know, my administration has made great headway in, in creating partnerships with the county, and those that were already functioning well are still functioning well. And at the executive level, it's functioning better than better than before.
Speaker 2
Where Where do you think the jail should go? Should it go downtown? Should it go out in the county?
Speaker 1
I think the county is having some appropriate conversations about where the jail should go. And really at the end of the day, that's a much more complex discussion, because it ties directly into where the court system goes. And that is A systems question. That's really the counties to decide, you know, the there are ways to have a jail that is not attached to, to the courts, and certainly the courts could move to move to a spot that's outside of the city.
Speaker 2
So the county council is changing the way it conducts public comments at its meetings. There's a new time limit on comments and adjust adjustments to rules for public comment. I know you were pretty upset, as many of some of the comments that were made during an approach that were unappropriate during the season for resolution. So will these changes help? Are you on board with these changes?
Speaker 1
I'm really grateful that the council has discussed these things, I think they may make some minor impacts. The the fact of the matter is, though, three minutes at the mic is not is not a participatory government model. That is really, you know, frequently these decisions are by and large, made before the council meetings start. And so I continue to push for a whole government system that works collaboratively and finds ways to do outreach to people where we can have two way interaction and conversation, because that's the way we actually solve problems, not in a in a one way conversation. So even if we actually are deciding things at council meetings, it's very hard when we can't ask clarifying questions of the commenters and and vice versa. They can't ask clarifying questions of counsel. So sure, I think some improvements will be made. And I think in this day and age, we need to find other ways as well of interacting with the public. I've had two sets of traveling office hours now. I've been I've been frankly floored at the conversations that happen there. When somebody can sit one on one in a place that's not City Hall. It's not intimidating to them. Yesterday, we were at Jiffy treat, and and there's just a lot of transparency and sharing of ideas in that kind of context.
Speaker 2
That was curious about your support for the city council's gender affirming care resolution. We talked before about resolutions that you wouldn't sign not directly impacting city business. Do you feel this one impacts would this is something that you would sign? Absolutely.
Speaker 1
And I said to I sent a support letter I met with the leadership that had asked the council to, to propose this resolution in the first place. This is about the residents of Bloomington. It's also one of the core principles that caused me to run for office, which is creating a community that is welcoming, accepting and creates belonging for all people no matter what. And so gender affirming care, and our ability to really make a statement that we are supportive. And and we care about the people who are experiencing these difficulties in our state. It's it's great for our community, in many ways, and not the least among them is is creating that belonging.
Speaker 2
Any update or word on the broadband installation that has been going on it started, of course with the previous administration manorhamilton Got it underway. Our residents adding service there any updates? We just haven't heard about it in a while.
Speaker 1
Oh, okay. Yes. So that is proceeding in the infrastructure should be completed over the next year. And then we will have we'll move in the future to to opening that network to other providers. So that's when that network is going to become very competitive. And we're hopeful that that decreases prices for provision of broadband for our residents. There are some updates. I just want to say to the residents of Bloomington I know a lot of people have had challenges with the installation in in their yards on their streets, etc. Maybe two months ago, we had a a clarifying discussion with the contractors and I put a stop work order on their work, because we really were just having too many problems. So things have been going much more smoothly now. We're, we're really on a path where the contractors are very responsive to needs and we're having almost no incidents with those installations. And so my hope is as we can Fleet this project will continue to have have a great and respectful safe work environment. If
Speaker 2
people do have issues holes in their front yard, who should they contact?
Speaker 1
Yeah. So call the city and we're happy to, to help navigate that. Of course meridian is putting this in and they have an office here and you can absolutely contact them. And we're happy to support you
Speaker 2
gotta go but want to get one last word. Hot week heat advisories, in effect, the city county have cooling stations and other options to stay cool, right?
Speaker 1
That's right. So several fire departments are set up as cooling stations on these very hot days. But my favorite city project this year is or this summer is partnership between economic and sustainable development and our parks. And so we're sponsoring free pool days on level two heat days. We announced those by 1030. The Parks and Rec and ESD Facebook sites and our website will will clarify whether or not it's a level two day and it's completely free admission to both mills and Brian Park pool. And we're really encouraging people to go there and stay cool. It's especially for those who are lower income and and health challenged. staying cool is really critical in this heat. I always
Speaker 2
like to leave the last word for you any things that you'd like to say announcements. Yeah,
Speaker 1
things in the city are really going very smoothly. At this point. The thing I will ask our residents is go downtown and eat and shop because we're really missing the students this summer. And those businesses really need your support. So consider when you're when you're making plans for your weekend or your week nights. Please do go downtown. There's plenty of parking and we'd love to have you. Thank
Unknown Speaker
you so much for having me. We'll see you in July. Thanks Joe.
Hello, and welcome to ask the mayor on WFIU, I'm Joe Hren. It's the third Wednesday of the month. And so I'm with Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson. Hello, welcome. Thanks for being on the show.
Unknown Speaker
I really like being here.
Speaker 2
So let's just get to a question. Someone emailed in really quick. And I drove by to and saw there's a lot of water coming from a tank that seemed like, I believe it's the CBU. But I'm not sure off the bypass and 17. I know it's kind of random question and if you know much about it, but they were wondering what's going on there? Yes,
Speaker 1
I only have vague details about that. But what is going on there is regular maintenance, as we're obligated to do per the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. And so one of the compartments of that tank needed to be emptied. So the tanks not leaking. It was planned routine maintenance that that we do, and it'll be back up in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2
Okay, that was an email from Trent. Hope that helps Trent. Let's move on to CIB pick the expansion of the center to go to the conference Convention Center to go east or the former or Napa I guess building is right now. The North par was eliminated due to the city wanting reimbursement for that, for that parcel of land. So the next up is the hotel. And they're looking to see what different proposals hotels have for that area. Let's say a hotel would like to go in that North parcel and reimburse the city, the $7 million, is that something the city would be interested in?
Speaker 1
Absolutely. You know, our goal for that whole area is to have a vibrantly developed economic district that is really going to attract not only great conventions and meetings there, but also our locals and other visitors to come to that area and experience. New new hotel but also likely new restaurants and retail that will pop up to to surround and really take advantage of the activity in the area.
Speaker 2
So if those proposals come through, and that doesn't get chosen as a lot for a hotel, what does the city plan to do with
Speaker 1
that? We don't have a plan yet, but the you know, this is this is an active redevelopment district and it's in our TIF and so we would we like to activate that area for the best development of downtown.
Speaker 2
I attended the groundbreaking ceremony at some TWRA formerly known as Baxter, some may know expanding production lines, huge investment, more jobs and great for Bloomington. Governor Holcomb was there. But you know, down the street, I was thinking, you know, Katelyn, we've been reporting hundreds of layoffs. You know, the business climate is really tricky. So how does the city navigate economic activity when you see a biochemical or a biopharmaceutical company expanding and another one getting smaller? Yeah,
Speaker 1
we're really grateful for the expansion of Sintra, and my focus is on really clustered development and which is best practice in economic development. And so that's what is really important about what's going on at the trades district. What is incubating at the mill? You know, Indiana is one of the worst states when it comes to innovation. We have for far too long been reliant just on factory jobs, and manufacturing is great and we need those jobs. And we are smart people here. And we need to innovate and help solve not only our community's problems, but innovate for what the world needs. And so it's really important that, that we find our niche and innovation and that we really develop it well, it's likely going to be related to micro electronics, or BioPharm. Those are the things that we're already doing. But you can also imagine other fields, where people are already innovating. We have great business, develop development going on, around the music industry already. So there are some things that are classically Bloomington, where innovation is happening. And when innovation happens, we give birth to businesses that that offer tiers of jobs. So we get the the C suite, the middle management, and the production workers. And that's what a community really needs to thrive.
Speaker 2
And that's what I remember, we're talking about the build out of the trades district of all those different levels that are needed, you have the small businesses in, in the mill looking to take a step up. And it seems like there aren't many places for that middle step.
Speaker 1
That's right. And that's true not only in in our jobs, but in our housing, right. And so that's why in economic development, you can't do just one thing. You have to you have to create the whole ecosystem. And housing has to come right along with it. And so that's why we're looking at how we develop workforce housing and how we keep it, how do we keep that middle income housing, that is going to sustain our community, and keep those keep those workers here and attract them to come from elsewhere?
Speaker 2
So what's the next step for the trades district? I know there's been talk about a boutique hotel going there. Some say, well, that's not a business, or that's not middle management, what's the and that that land has been vacant for a long time? Yes,
Speaker 1
we're thrilled about this hotel that's coming in, you know, the, the hotel company that is committed to building there is has award winning hotels that are unique. So this is not going to be an out of the box hotel, it's going to have a personality. And with that, this, this company has a history of attracting really pretty high end, dining and bars. And so we need, you know, what we need in this whole district here, not only trades, but all the way down to hope well, along the B line is a diversity of live work, play. And so with the development of this boutique hotel, this district here, the trades district is going to be the place to hang out at lunchtime and after work for our locals and for visitors.
Speaker 2
So then, I guess what you're saying is that you're hoping that will attract businesses? Well,
Speaker 1
it absolutely should attract businesses and, and to be honest, you know, we we need those businesses coming in, not only to the convention center, to have their larger meetings in a hotel like that can can help anchor that. But also the smaller startups and investors want a unique place to stay that's really close to the mill, and we already have so much activity going on there, that having a nother attractive place to stay is is really critical. So
Speaker 2
still a lot going on with the county figuring out where to put a new jail how big it should be? How much do you think the city should be involved with those discussions? And is the city involved with those discussions at all?
Speaker 1
Yes, so we are, you know, I've expressed to the county that we really want to support their efforts. And I think that, while it is a county initiative, certainly it impacts the city. You know, our law enforcement feeds right into that justice system. And, and so we are in active conversation, and we want to do what's best for, for the city and and for the community as a whole. And this is where the city county relationship is really critical. And and, you know, my administration has made great headway in, in creating partnerships with the county, and those that were already functioning well are still functioning well. And at the executive level, it's functioning better than better than before.
Speaker 2
Where Where do you think the jail should go? Should it go downtown? Should it go out in the county?
Speaker 1
I think the county is having some appropriate conversations about where the jail should go. And really at the end of the day, that's a much more complex discussion, because it ties directly into where the court system goes. And that is A systems question. That's really the counties to decide, you know, the there are ways to have a jail that is not attached to, to the courts, and certainly the courts could move to move to a spot that's outside of the city.
Speaker 2
So the county council is changing the way it conducts public comments at its meetings. There's a new time limit on comments and adjust adjustments to rules for public comment. I know you were pretty upset, as many of some of the comments that were made during an approach that were unappropriate during the season for resolution. So will these changes help? Are you on board with these changes?
Speaker 1
I'm really grateful that the council has discussed these things, I think they may make some minor impacts. The the fact of the matter is, though, three minutes at the mic is not is not a participatory government model. That is really, you know, frequently these decisions are by and large, made before the council meetings start. And so I continue to push for a whole government system that works collaboratively and finds ways to do outreach to people where we can have two way interaction and conversation, because that's the way we actually solve problems, not in a in a one way conversation. So even if we actually are deciding things at council meetings, it's very hard when we can't ask clarifying questions of the commenters and and vice versa. They can't ask clarifying questions of counsel. So sure, I think some improvements will be made. And I think in this day and age, we need to find other ways as well of interacting with the public. I've had two sets of traveling office hours now. I've been I've been frankly floored at the conversations that happen there. When somebody can sit one on one in a place that's not City Hall. It's not intimidating to them. Yesterday, we were at Jiffy treat, and and there's just a lot of transparency and sharing of ideas in that kind of context.
Speaker 2
That was curious about your support for the city council's gender affirming care resolution. We talked before about resolutions that you wouldn't sign not directly impacting city business. Do you feel this one impacts would this is something that you would sign? Absolutely.
Speaker 1
And I said to I sent a support letter I met with the leadership that had asked the council to, to propose this resolution in the first place. This is about the residents of Bloomington. It's also one of the core principles that caused me to run for office, which is creating a community that is welcoming, accepting and creates belonging for all people no matter what. And so gender affirming care, and our ability to really make a statement that we are supportive. And and we care about the people who are experiencing these difficulties in our state. It's it's great for our community, in many ways, and not the least among them is is creating that belonging.
Speaker 2
Any update or word on the broadband installation that has been going on it started, of course with the previous administration manorhamilton Got it underway. Our residents adding service there any updates? We just haven't heard about it in a while.
Speaker 1
Oh, okay. Yes. So that is proceeding in the infrastructure should be completed over the next year. And then we will have we'll move in the future to to opening that network to other providers. So that's when that network is going to become very competitive. And we're hopeful that that decreases prices for provision of broadband for our residents. There are some updates. I just want to say to the residents of Bloomington I know a lot of people have had challenges with the installation in in their yards on their streets, etc. Maybe two months ago, we had a a clarifying discussion with the contractors and I put a stop work order on their work, because we really were just having too many problems. So things have been going much more smoothly now. We're, we're really on a path where the contractors are very responsive to needs and we're having almost no incidents with those installations. And so my hope is as we can Fleet this project will continue to have have a great and respectful safe work environment. If
Speaker 2
people do have issues holes in their front yard, who should they contact?
Speaker 1
Yeah. So call the city and we're happy to, to help navigate that. Of course meridian is putting this in and they have an office here and you can absolutely contact them. And we're happy to support you
Speaker 2
gotta go but want to get one last word. Hot week heat advisories, in effect, the city county have cooling stations and other options to stay cool, right?
Speaker 1
That's right. So several fire departments are set up as cooling stations on these very hot days. But my favorite city project this year is or this summer is partnership between economic and sustainable development and our parks. And so we're sponsoring free pool days on level two heat days. We announced those by 1030. The Parks and Rec and ESD Facebook sites and our website will will clarify whether or not it's a level two day and it's completely free admission to both mills and Brian Park pool. And we're really encouraging people to go there and stay cool. It's especially for those who are lower income and and health challenged. staying cool is really critical in this heat. I always
Speaker 2
like to leave the last word for you any things that you'd like to say announcements. Yeah,
Speaker 1
things in the city are really going very smoothly. At this point. The thing I will ask our residents is go downtown and eat and shop because we're really missing the students this summer. And those businesses really need your support. So consider when you're when you're making plans for your weekend or your week nights. Please do go downtown. There's plenty of parking and we'd love to have you. Thank
Unknown Speaker
you so much for having me. We'll see you in July. Thanks Joe.
