Hello and welcome to Cats Week. I'm Annalise Poorman. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on
July 20th and received two proposals to redevelop the College Square site downtown. Each proposal paired
a new hotel with housing, but city officials say they need time to evaluate details before deciding
what comes next. The first proposal comes from Concord Hospitality, while the other is from Dora Hospitality.
The city's economic and sustainability director, Anna Killian Hanson, announced the first proposal.
Our proposal recognizes the opportunity for both a hotel that meets the functional needs outlined in
the offering sheet, including approximately 160 rooms, full service amenities, and support for convention
center activity, and a complementary mixed use residential component that supports downtown vitality,
integrates housing, including replacement
of significantly affordable below market rate units and activates the district beyond event-driven demand.
Killian Hansen described the competing proposal from Dora Hospitality. The proposal delivers
two complimentary projects on a single site, a 135-room boutique upscale hotel on a southern portion
of the project site along 3rd Street, and an approximately 100-unit market rate apartment community
on the northern portion along 4th Street.
connecting them as a landscaped promenade running through the interior of the block, a shared gathering
space that activates the heart of the site and draws pedestrians from College Avenue to the beeline.
She maintained that the commission is merely reviewing the proposals and not officially voting on any
items. We will need to do a deep dive into what these actually say. City officials will now evaluate
both proposals before bringing them back to the RDC for further discussion.
The Redevelopment Commission will meet again on August 3rd. The Bloomington City Council met on July
22nd. The Council heard a resolution that would issue up to $100 million in bonds to purchase nearly
1,000 affordable housing units across five apartment complexes from Hometown Group. Executive Director
for the Bloomington Housing Authority, Nathan Ferreira, detailed the properties included.
The hometown group properties consist of five apartment complexes around town. Those are highlighted
in the map. Woodland Springs, Basswood, Northcrest, Kingston Manor and Summit Point. Totally 924 units.
Ferrer says he hopes to preserve affordable housing before it's redeveloped. We are excited about this
project for a number of reasons. First and foremost,
Preservation of workforce housing, of naturally occurring affordable rents is our primary goal here.
He said that federal funding support has continued to decline, forcing the Housing Authority to find
new revenue sources. Our revenue from HUD has become less dependable. We have faced cuts in the form
of no inflationary increase this year.
And a freeze on issuing any new vouchers. So that means when a voucher gets retired somebody doesn't
need anymore We are not issuing new ones since last July. So we're we're stuck in a pretty difficult
financial spot We estimate that bringing on these properties post construction will generate about a
million dollars of revenue per year and in the next five to ten years, we would put
hopefully at least one of these in five years through a light tech or a rat like conversion so that
we can create deeper affordability. Bond attorney Chris Cashman from ICE Miller emphasized that taxpayers
would not be responsible if the bonds are not successful. They're payable solely from project revenues
and surplus funds of the BHA. They're not payable from taxes and they're not a general obligation of
the city and issuing these bonds will have no effect
sorry, effect on the constitutional debt limit or bank qualified limit of the city. Council member Isabel
Piedmont-Smith asked why the request authorized up to $100 million. Cashman maintained the bond is expected
to be lower than that. As it stands now, what we're modeling is assuming the existing debt and then
a smaller bond issuance amount somewhere around, it depends on what the debt service requirements can
handle, but somewhere around 32 million.
of a bond issuance if we go the route where the existing debt is assumed. Council member Matt Flaherty
asked what the biggest risk would be. Ferreira said that while he believes there is risk involved for
the BHA, he sees the effort to develop and maintain affordable housing as worthwhile. What do you think
are the most significant risks of this proposal? I mean, it's a pretty significant amount of debt. What
could go wrong? How are you anticipating that? What are the downside risks here?
Absolutely, there is risk here. To the BHA, these are general revenue pledge bonds. What that means
is anything that's already not tied up in a commitment. So anything beyond what is owed to HUD or to
our investors would be at risk here.
We feel like developing affordable housing, preserving affordable housing, addressing our housing shortage
is a statutory responsibility of the Housing Authority. So we see this risk as worthwhile. These types
of deals have been done before, mostly in larger places, so we're a little new.
in that we're a smaller housing authority, smaller community attempting this, but there's no reason
in my mind that we shouldn't, we should not try this. Ferreira says the BHA selected these five apartment
complexes because they are deteriorating and vulnerable to redevelopment. We know that at least a couple
of these properties are in
very poor condition. We actually conduct inspections because we have vouchers at several of these. And
we've had to address many issues with the current landlord at several of these properties. We know that
two, Kingston Manor and Summit Point are at locations that would be prime for redevelopment. Given their
locations, we would assume those would be
demoed and redeveloped as student housing like what you've seen around town. Our goal here in terms
of preservation would be to do the needed fixes and then do a much larger rehab. Council member Kate
Rosenberger asked whether Seminary Point could someday be part of a similar effort. Can you speak to
why the Seminary Point properties most likely could not be considered for part of this purchase and bond?
I don't know if I can speak to that, but on a side note, we have been part of the conversation about
Seminary Point throughout, and that conversation is continuing. We have not contemplated attempting
to sell bonds to purchase any other properties beyond this deal, which this deal we've been contemplating
for about a year.
There have been a couple other potential deals that have come up, but those both sold quickly. And this
is the only one that's moving slowly enough that we could actually go through this process to potentially
use bonds to purchase it. I absolutely think we would consider selling bonds to purchase other properties
for the purpose of preserving or creating affordable housing. The timing of this is such that it just
This has been on our focus with the bond sale. So it's not something we wouldn't rule out. During public
comment, Mary Morgan, executive director of Heading Home, said she supports the project, saying it would
fulfill a need for affordable housing in the community. You know, it's a gutsy move. It's an area that
we have not explored before. It's a need.
And even though initially these will be workforce housing units, that's gonna benefit our entire community.
I look forward to the longer term plan to turn these through RAD process into more affordable units,
but I think nonetheless it's needed. It's keeping these properties locally owned, which is huge.
And I think we're just grateful that we have someone with Nate's experience leading this effort. I feel
like it's a great opportunity for our community. Meanwhile, local resident Randy Cassidy raised concerns
about the lack of financial due diligence and the need for risk assessment with the project. Understand
the aspect of the work for housing and the fact of what BHA has done with the RAD and the thing. It's
an admirable thing to do. The one only question I have on
this particular thing because it is a pass through situation that BHA would be responsible is, is this
going to end up being a tax exempt properties when this is done? Because my quick calculation and while
trying to workforce housing, tax revenues and such, those five properties at the present moment are
churning out about $830,943 a year in property taxes.
So that's the only question that I would have in regards to it is how the replacement of that income
might impact overall for the next few years in regards to it. The workforce housing is extremely needed.
BHA is extremely good at managing accordingly. And under Nathan's leadership, they've done a great job.
the revenue replacement is my only question. The council voted unanimously to approve the 100 million
dollar bonding authority paving the way for the Bloomington Housing Authority to move ahead with the
project. The City Council will meet for its next regular session on August 5th.
The Monroe County Commissioners met on July 23rd. During department updates, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill
informed the commissioners of deteriorating conditions at the Thompson homeless encampment and rising
public safety concerns. It's becoming more dangerous and more of a cause of a public safety concern.
We had some meetings and I think it would be important for you guys to know and if you agree to to go ahead and
I bless this is that we think we're going to have to do something with that property. And we're working
with, you know, the sheriff and all the providers that we can. We don't have a plan yet. We don't have
a plan in place. But I think given the fact that you're not having a meeting the next two weeks, we
may need to act and begin the process formally prior to your next meeting. So I make sure you're aware
of that and that you're all right with us proceeding along those if necessary.
Next, commissioners approved early cancellation of the county's contract with Flock, the automatic license
plate reader vendor. Commissioner Jody Medeira explained that accepting the cost for removal was the
correct choice. I think it is $3,000 well spent. I appreciate the advocacy of the citizens who spoke
before the city on this issue. And I think that
it would be worth paying that $3,000 as a county. And I'm concerned about the implications for this
contract as a county. And so I would support terminating this contract. The commissioners ended the
meeting by outlining their recent presentation to Bloomington city council, recommending a new justice
center site on city owned property at the former hospital.
Commissioner Julie Thomas described the trade-offs and said time and available space are driving the
new proposal. Our priorities right now are time and space. In terms of space, it's not ideal,
but it works. And there is some room to expand the facility if needed. So that's
That's excellent. But we really can't go through a nine to 12 month plan commissioned city council approval
process. That's just how long it takes. I mean, ours takes time too, because you have to put out notice.
You have to have to have hearings. It's part of democracy. It takes time. So we gave them that caveat
that we need to find
If they're willing to do this, we need to find a quicker way to act. The next Monroe County Commissioner's
regular meeting will be held on August 13th. The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on July 21st.
Board members reconsidered whether students should be allowed to use cell phones on school buses after
hearing concerns from parents. The new state law requires students to keep personal communication devices
turned off and inaccessible during the school day.
Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders explained why he wants phones off of buses. I did take our policy a
step further and my rationale for that, well, the step I took beyond the state law was to say that they
should, that the keeping the cell phones inaccessible and turned off should also apply
on the school bus to and from school. And the reason I wanted to add that is a bus driver's number one
priority is keeping their eyes on the road and safety. But there's also a kind of a, to me, a hidden
safety issue in terms of students having access to their cell phone while on the bus. There's nobody
to monitor what they're looking at, who they're talking to, what they're sharing with other students.
Dr. Sanders acknowledged the negative feedback that he received from parents about the law itself and
RBB's stricter policies. We did get some pushback from some parents on that. As I look at announcements
from school corporations, there's a lot of people who aren't happy with that law.
And when I look at the comments of other communities, they often blame the school for that law. And
quite frankly, my personal opinion is I like it. I think it'll help students to be more focused and
engaged. We also know that social media often leads to
some behavior issues. School board president Dana Kerr said the policy could prove difficult to enforce.
In his view, it's a matter of fairness. Was this where only the students that would obey the rules anyway
are the ones who won't have their cell phones out and the ones who always push the envelope are the
ones that are, you know, gonna get by with it because they can't,
You know, it's going to be hard to monitor. I mean, the seats are purposely high on buses for safety.
And so it's very difficult to see and monitor. So, you know, it's kind of to me a perfect opportunity
for good kids to be penalized for being good and allowing kids to push the envelope to get by with it
with no recourse.
And then I just worry about the equity in that. So that's something that bothers me. Another board member
said while he wants to abide by the state law, he questioned whether the board should implement a policy
that takes it a step further. I'm fine with going by the letter of the law, bell to bell. And as far
as the buses are concerned, I'd be curious if you looked at the numbers, how many
What percentage of our kids ride the bus to and from school every day? And those kids that aren't riding
the bus with parents, they're on their cell phones just the same way. So you're concerned about having
social drama can have from some kid riding the back of his mom and dad's station wagon to school, takes
the subway and the station wagon behind him. We got enough problems to do with the school corporations
for teachers to take on more headaches that's not governed by law. That's my thought process. I'm cool
with waiting.
and revisiting this in nine weeks, whatever. After the first nine weeks, that's fine. But I have a hard
time going above and beyond that because there's so much gray area on the school bus travel from point
A to point B. Sanders said the district will monitor the policy and revisit it during an upcoming meeting
in the fall. For now, the cell phone ban on buses remains. The RBB School Board will meet again on August 18th.
And that is all for Cats Week. Thank you for joining us. For Cats and WFHB, I'm Annalise Poorman.