The existing building of what used to be the big box retailer now sits empty.
(Ethan Burks, WFIU/WTIU News)
The City of Bloomington is in the process of deciding whether the old K-mart site on East Third Street should be converted into a 340-unit, 906-bedroom housing development for both student and multi-family residences.
The Plan Commission held its first of two public hearings on the project Monday night.
"This is the opportune location for density. You are immediately adjacent to goods and resources, grocery stores, and Bloomington Transit," said city senior zoning planner, Eric Greulich.
This site plan shows the residences will be split up into four buildings at 3216 E. Third St in between Clarizz Blvd. and Kingston Dr. (Courtesy: City of Bloomington)
This proposed development is different than many recently approved sites because it does not include any retail space nor does it set aside a percentage of units for affordable housing.
Indianapolis-based company, Trinitas Ventures, is heading the project. Trinitas officials told plan commissioners those elements were not "feasible" after looking at all possible options.
"It doesn’t seem to make any sense to build additional retail in this area that would further compete with College Mall or some of the other local retailers," said Trinitas' director of development operations, Mark Becher.
The site plan also includes 542 parking spaces with a mix of on-street and surface parking, as well as a 385-space parking garage.
Although the development will not be exclusive to student renters, some plan commissioners and members of the public are concerned that only students will want to live in the complex.
Plan Commission president Brad Wisler said even though the majority of the units will be three bedrooms, it does not mean only students will find it desirable.
"There are many families in Bloomington who need three bedrooms and who can’t afford to buy. So, we need to stop jumping to the conclusion that just because there’s three bedrooms, it’s just going to be a student party house," said Wisler.
The Plan Commission will hold a second public hearing on the project at its next meeting on Monday, June 14.
It is also important to note this development would be a permitted use (by-right) according to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This means that as long as Trinitas meets all of the requirements in the UDO, the Plan Commission cannot deny the proposal.
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