Convention center main hall expansion render
(Schmidt Associates, Convergence Design)
The Capital Improvement Board on Wednesday changed the name of the Monroe Convention Center to the Bloomington Convention Center.
Board member Jay Baer said the decision came down to marketing.
“Making it anything other than obvious as to what this is and where it is seems to be a disservice to the sales and marketing challenge,” Baer said. Member Geoff McKim agreed.
“I definitely recognize that Bloomington is the brand that we need to lead with,” he said.
Convention center rooftop terrace could accomodate 100 people. (Schmidt Associates, Convergence Design)
Member James Silberstein said they chose convention center over conference center or civic center because planners tend to skip over options not named convention center.
“’Convention center’ to a lot of people conveys full convention services, whereas civic center doesn't say that,” he said.
Bidding on the project starts in March with construction set to begin in June.
CIB President John Whikehart said the board has been obtaining various approvals from city boards and commissions to keep the project moving.
Major system selections and design developments have been made and presented to the board for approval, including a full-service kitchen that could serve close to 2,000 people.
Main hall pre-function space (Schmidt Associates, Convergence Design)
Other details include landscaping with trees selected to meet the city’s plan requirements, a bus pull off with Third Street corridor alignment; a loading dock ramp; relocation of utilities; and a climate-friendly green roof.
Most of those details satisfy accreditation for green buildings.
Budget updates show $52 million for construction costs and $19 million for professional services such as legal fees, art, and utility relocation.
Exterior final design render (Schmidt Associates, Convergence Design)
He said that with the 4th Street parking garage’s spaces that aren’t rented plus surface parking, there will be 770 parking spaces.
He said there are also three other parking garages downtown, four other surface lots, and potential for shuttle services.
Regarding the companion hotel, Whikehart said he hopes Dora Hospitality and the redevelopment commission will make a deal on the Bunger and Robertson lot by the March meeting. Otherwise, he said, there might have to be another plan.
Convention Center budget as of Feb. 19, 2025 (Courtesy: CIB)
