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Bloomington council approves $30 million bond but questions city hall expansion 

CFC business plaza

CFC Business Plaza at Showers currently occupies 320 W. 8th Street, which is a portion of the building that also houses city hall. (Courtesy: City of Bloomington)

Bloomington city council Wednesday approved almost $30 million in public safety facility improvements. However, it’s unclear if it will use the money to expand city hall.  

Mayor John Hamilton’s administration wants to purchase and remodel the CFC Business Plaza in the Showers building. If the purchase is approved by council, the city would transform the building into a police station and fire administration headquarters.  

The local police union is opposed to the expansion and said members are worried about privacy and the number of vehicle entrances/exits. However, Hamilton’s administration favors the location because it brings both public safety groups together.  

“I do think the future of public safety is going to be, should be, and, I believe, will be a greater and greater integration and openness of what public safety work is,” Hamilton said. 

READ MORE: Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approves city hall expansion

Regardless of whether the city purchases the Showers Building, council already approved the bond. Council must now decide in the coming weeks how to appropriate that money.  

Hamilton’s list of proposed public safety projects totals $34 million:  

  • Purchase of the CFC Showers building- $8.75 million 
  • Renovation of Showers - $14.75 million
  • Rebuilding Fire Station #1 (downtown)- $5.5 million 
  • Remodel Fire Station #3 (Woodlawn Avenue near IU)- $2.5 million
  • Construct BFD training/logistics center- $2.5 million

Hamilton’s administration proposed three sources to raise the $34 million:  

  • Bond proceeds- $26 Million
  • Sale of current BPD headquarters on Third Street - $3 million
  • Community Revitalization Enhancement District (CRED) funds- $5 million 

City administration plans to use CRED funds as a last resort, but Councilmember Steve Volan is against using these funds. 

“That’s not what the money was collected for,” Volan said. “That’s not what businesses who agreed to be part of a CRED, that’s not what the city voted for 20 years ago.” 

If council doesn’t approve the Showers purchase, Mayor Hamilton said “plan B” still includes more than $10 million in fire facility improvements. It would also include a “significantly cheaper” rehab to the existing police building without adding any space. All remaining proceeds would be used for public safety capital improvements over the next three or four years. 

Councilmember Sue Sgambelluri said the location of the Showers building may not be ideal, but it could be the most optimal. 

“Sometimes we’re not in the business of doing what’s ideal, we’re in the business of doing what’s optimal - what is the best we can do given the constraints and parameters in which we need to operate,” Sgambelluri said.  

Council supported the $29.5 million bond by an 8-1 vote. The bond will be paid using the local income tax increase from May. 

Council president Susan Sandberg was the only “no” vote.  

“What I really don’t appreciate is having to approve a bond without having a more specific idea of what is the best path forward, and I’m not convinced the Showers purchase is,” Sandberg said.  

Council will meet to discuss bond appropriations and the Showers building Dec 14, with a final vote as early as Dec. 21.

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