- Well, we could call the meeting to order. There's some items we have to vote on. And so with that, we
- do have to have a quorum. One of the things you don't have to do is for a quorum is to start the reports
- from Visit Bloomington and Downtown Bloomington East. So let's go ahead and we'll get started in the
- interest of time and go ahead and hear some of the items that are.
- Well, I take it back. What we're going to wind up doing is follow the agenda a little bit more closely,
- and we'll go from there. So we're going to review the minutes. So the minutes were emailed in the packets.
- So the December 9 meeting was our last meeting. I hope folks have had a chance to review those.
- Just a few minutes to look through those and see if there are any corrections or questions that came
- up from the last month.
- on emitting minutes. And Marsha, we had a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Is that Mr. Second?
- And second? Marsha, would you move us to a roll call, please? Aye. Yes. Kirby? Yes, ma'am. Trent? Yes.
- All right, next thing on our agenda is the financial report. We'll start with the innkeeper's tax collection.
- receipts are listed for 2025 and the run in 2026, the first two months. This year we are running a little
- ahead of where we were in the first two months, but that does have to do a little bit with the timing
- of when the business was reported. As you remember back in April the county adopted
- disbursement calendar and so there were no dispersants in the month of April and so everything now is
- one month back from what it might have been last year. So you're looking at what you're seeing in January
- that typically match up with the December receipts and then February would match up last year with January
- looking at the $111,958 that's collected in February. That should really go against the January numbers
- from last year. Just to look at an apples-to-apples comparison, one reason that looking at that while
- we're behind in that
- Reynolds didn't report before the month, is that right? Did not come in during that month. Those are
- both land in the next month's tax collection, so it will be reflected in March. Once we get to May,
- our May receipts should be the same year over year. It would be much easier to read as far as what's
- going on. Pacing, honestly. Until then, we get to have this little conversation every time on where we
- said though, if you move to the financial reports, there's December, January and February end of the
- month and we spend time on February unless there is questions in the month of December and January.
- We did make our fourth quarter allocations in both of those months. You can see those reflected in both
- January. Most of those were in January. As we're looking at the end of the month in February, just some
- things to call out.
- general fund balance is $4,753,569.02 is where the current fund balance sits. You would also notice
- in the month of February that we did add a line item in general expense for the completion of the downtown
- visitor center and the funding we approved.
- summary in that general category up at the top. And then our capital improvement fund or carryover balance
- started at $182,000 and some change to the current fund balance sits at $190,583.05 and that is for
- unexpected
- mostly towards buildings as this building continues to age. And then also for the other buildings which we
- on the financial statement, either the innkeeper's tax collection or where a fund balance sits, the
- new budget.
- We have a motion and a second for the financial report to move us to a roll call vote, please. Aye.
- Yes. Kirby? Frank? Yes. All right. And so now, we have the supporting team report. Mike? Would you and
- your team tell us what's going on? Long awaited, you built up the suspense. I did, and we both talked,
- and then I had to shut them down. Thanks, Mike.
- the tax collection thing and all that is, the roller coaster that is really fascinating, or I don't
- know if fascinating is even the right word, but it's interesting, that's for sure. Just to give you,
- January, just talking about hotels and market-wide, the Smith Report January 2026 report shows revenue
- up 6%, demand up 2% over January 2025. I don't have the February,
- month or yet I won't have that until probably probably next week usually comes about middle of the month
- but I get my weekly and I can go back and look at the last 28 days so I can see that February is probably
- going to come in about 3% down in revenue if that's helpful to you as far as short-term rentals are
- concerned I don't know what's going on I think I think probably certainly the cold weather
- impacted that as we've discussed on a lot of a lot of things but January 2026 short-term rental revenue
- is down 18% versus January 2025 list available listings were down 2% and February 26 I do have the February
- report that was down 31% in revenue and their listings were down 6% I do think that and when I say listings are down
- a few percentage points that's in January and February are always the lower one, you know, the smaller
- ones. There's about somewhere between five and 600 listings available in the market. So when I say they're
- down, they're down 10 units or something like that. And it probably does have to do with the weather
- of those owners taking them on and off the market. But I do feel that the last few months we've seen
- a little bit of decline versus 24 and 25 numbers in some of the,
- units available, even with the football season, I feel like it is going to continue to start to level
- out. So hopefully, because we've had this conversation, I feel there's too many in the market, and sometimes
- it's just not healthy sometimes. But instead of having 1,000 units available, we would certainly be
- better off with 500 and things like that. I do know that the mayor's office, it is still on their agenda to
- take a closer look at the regulation of short-term rentals sometime this year. I don't know what that
- means. We do know that no matter what, all of the existing ones would be grandfathered in. So we'll
- keep an eye on that. I'll keep updating you with things I think I might know. Convention sales-wise,
- I'm not going to, I know Tulisha's gonna give a report on the
- Monroe Convention Center, the Bloomington Convention Center, stuff of what they're doing. Obviously,
- our things cross over. A lot of things she talks about are generated from leads from us, but she'll
- be talking about that. I'm going to tell you mostly about some bigger new leads that she may not even
- know about yet, but a couple of non-Bloomington Convention Center things coming up. We're hosting the
- Indiana Economic Development Association at The Graduate on April 30th and May 1.
- Not a big event, it's 50 attendees, 80 room nights over two days, but it is a pretty lucrative group
- to have here in the community on the Economic Development Association, so we're happy to have that.
- Hoosier Energy is at the home too on June, and I'm talking about events that are happening between now
- and the next time we meet, so I'm not gonna get in beyond that, but I'm not sure when we're meeting
- in June, but in late June, Hoosier Energy is meeting at the home too, 70 room nights for that.
- A couple of bigger leads, like I said, I'm not gonna report on. Sean has generated eight leads so far
- this year. He was just at the RC, the Religious Conference Management Association in Lexington
- in mid-February. Brought back a couple of smaller church-related group leads for that. But the big one
- that we're working on right now is for the American College Theater Festival, region three, in January 2027.
- 3,000 attendees, 1,470 room nights in the first week of January. So that's a big one. And we don't know
- their meeting space needs. We'll be getting with you on that. We just got that leak, but we'll talk
- to them about that. I mean, that's what it's all about. That's what we want. Again, trade show wise,
- we've got a full gamut of those for the year. He'll be heading out to the Connect Spring Marketplace
- in Louisville. He's doing the association track, again, before we get back together.
- We'll be at the Fraternity Executives Association in Louisville as well in late May, and the Indiana
- Society of Association Executives in Muncie, Indiana in June. Marketing-wise, again, if you read any
- of the emails that I've sent you lately, a partner e-news with, I kind of define all the marketing things
- that we're doing, our most aggressive convention marketing effort ever, obviously because of the expansion
- that's going on.
- The Hard Hat video, just a ton of stuff we're doing with small market meetings, Midwest meetings, Inside
- Indiana Business, Smart Meetings, Meeting Planner International, those types of groups. We've got a
- large sponsorship with the American Society of Association Executive Conference that's happening in
- Indianapolis later this summer. There's gonna be a bunch of Indiana groups working together.
- We should walk away from that with some good large leads for the new center at that time. But obviously,
- other stuff with, you know, there's several of them in there that were sponsorships and things that
- we're working on. We will start advertising for our second convention center sales representative job
- next week. And we'll go live with that, doing various places that will be advertising that. And we hope
- to have that job filled early summer.
- You know, the role of that person is going to be prospecting for large groups, large groups for this
- building midweek when it opens and working closely with Sean and Laura and myself and on the road every
- week in Indianapolis, going to other convention centers, seeing groups that they're hosting and stuff
- like that. So again, it'll probably take us a few weeks to a month to fill that position and I'll certainly
- be talking to the both of you before we get down to that.
- decision making on that. We're keeping abreast of good candidates and things like that. Sports sales,
- state basketball championships happening this weekend, 70 teams in town at Twin Lakes, 400 to 500 room
- nights. We've got a seven on seven flag football at Karst in late June, 200 room nights. We were disappointed
- that La Crosse America canceled their event that was scheduled for the fall due to budget cuts.
- We tried to talk to them about how could we help you with that, but it was more about personnel, using
- some personnel and keeping those events closer to home. But we're helping IU on 2027 Big Ten Swimming
- and Diving. This is a USA weightlifting proposal. I'm happy to pass this around.
- want to take a look at our proposal that we submitted them working closely with with Talisha again this
- is we're talking about a thousand athletes for seven to ten days in June again in this in the new center
- they were interested in it they're interested in a two-year deal 27 and 28 now now both buildings won't
- be ready in 27
- And so we've already been talking to them about how we'd much rather host 28 and 29. We're not sure
- if they're open to that idea. But they're talking to us. They're very happy with what they're hearing
- from us. We've got Team Indiana, the state grant has already OKed $40,000 for us to help produce this
- event, which is great. It'll help offset some meeting space needs and things like that. So again, that's
- a big one. We're going to get something from them. We're just not quite sure.
- when and what size it will be. And then, just as kind of a fun thing to share, very much a long shot
- possibility, but we did have a meeting this morning with Indiana University Athletics, their operations
- group about hosting a Savannah Bananas baseball weekend in the summer of 2027, which, I mean, if you're all
- hearing anything about that, that's a big deal. They're pretty confident they would sell out. And this
- is in Memorial Stadium, so you're turning it into a baseball field. Obviously it's sick and let us do
- that, things like that. They're undergoing, they're renovating the stadium in 27, not the field, but
- press box, loading docks, some seats and things like that. But it's great, athletics is very much interested
- in knowing more and really seriously weighing it.
- And at the very least, if they're not ready to do it in 27, we could talk to them about a future year
- 28 or 29. I mean, there's a lot to do with artificial turf and putting in the field and how that all
- weighs out. But again, it's nice to be seriously considered for that and make it the whole thing about
- summer in Bloomington and trying to bring in events and things like that. So that's exciting.
- He's got five or six trade shows on his schedule as well. USA Weightlifting is going out to their national
- conference in June in Colorado Springs. On the leisure front, we launched the coffee trail in early
- February. We're launching the burger trail next week. All of our digital marketing, social, Google,
- Microsoft is running right now. We've got some print stuff as well.
- We're getting ready to launch. We just produced some radio and podcast advertisements. They're awesome,
- by the way. I can't wait for you to hear them. And we're going to be launching a national, well, probably
- more of a Midwest five or six state podcast and radio stuff with this awareness for Bloomington as a
- as a summertime travel destination, as just a travel destination in the future. A lot of it playing
- off of we're a football town now and having fun with that. They're gonna be good. Just to let everybody
- know to get on your calendar, Grand Balloon is hosting concerts in Switchart Park on June 20th, July
- 18th and August 29th. The university is investing major bucks behind this for getting national talent.
- Again, trying to invest in Bloomington during the summer for students to stay here, for community members.
- And we're thrilled that they're asking us to be at the table as far as recruiting visitors to be a part
- of that. So we'll see how that works out. But that's all a part of Grand Balloon. There won't be a concert
- on Kirkwood this summer, but they will be doing different parts of Grand Balloon throughout the community.
- But it really starts here in April and runs all the way through August.
- The August 29th concert is all about getting students out there for that. Our event support program,
- that's where again we give destination marketing dollars to groups like the Candy Strike Classic that
- was here over the weekend, Constellation Stage in Green, the Heritage Quilt Show, Hoosier Country Gym.
- things like that. We funded 12 of those about $23,000 in. We're doing it in three paper in three periods
- this year, all based upon when we need the visitation. So January 1 through March 31st we funded 12
- events for the second period starts after graduation May 11th through August 15th up to move in. We've
- already got eight approved. Jordan just talked to me about three more this morning that applied for
- that for that pool of money. And then the third period is
- note is right after football like whatever mid-November through December 31st. That period doesn't open
- until six months prior so like in June we could start applying for those. But up to $2,000 you can apply
- for. You can use $500 to help produce your events or to pay for talent or whatever you need. And $1,500
- that it has to be used on destination marketing outside in that kind of area. That report to us all
- the results and who came and all that type of stuff as we've as we've done
- different variations of that program in the past. Travel media, our travel media program is going well.
- We have had a bunch of success lately, scored a great article in Travel and Leisure Magazine
- about Bloomington college town destination, Midwest living, same thing. I just shared one this morning,
- Parade Magazine just ran a featured article on museums in Bloomington featuring the Eskenazi Museum of Art,
- Millions of people will see that. We're really proud of that one. A ton of stuff going on. We're pitching
- cooking classes. There's several places in town that offer cooking classes. The one downtown in the
- kitchen is one that we're working with closely on that. Like I said, the world-class museum
- scene. Bloomington on a budget is another pitch we're doing. We're getting ready to roll out pitching
- Little 500.
- Obviously, America 250, with the 250th anniversary this summer. I'm almost done, Mike. I do want to
- point to this group, though. I think, you know what is disappointing, though? We just scored this article
- featuring the Eskenazi Museum of Art, but it isn't even open next week.
- they close it for spring break. So I think that attitude has to change about like, it's not about academics,
- all about academics. It's about the community and tourism and visitors and shouldn't be, I'm not being
- critical. I get it. That's one of the operating and there's thoughts going to that, but where this group
- comes from, I think we should be talking about being open during spring break and working with us on
- that. So something to keep in mind.
- I did just get a meeting request from Commissioner Thomas for the next meeting for Quarry and the Uplands.
- The Upland Quarry Park that the county is looking at at 69 and 46. So that's good that they're getting
- ready to talk about that again. A couple things. Visitor Center as Mike talked about. Lease is signed.
- Design build contract is signed. We're in the process of the design build. February March.
- We're working on that. April, May, construction drawings. June, we'll finalize pricing, the building
- permit, all the construction stuff, and hopefully start construction in July and be done in December.
- And we could be in a new visitor center by the end of the year. Working with a company on our next strategic
- plan. Our current one expired at the end of 2025, but I wanted to wait and kind of see what was going
- on with the visitor center.
- So we're talking about our next one. I guess we're going to call it a 26.5 through 29 strategic plan,
- but you'll be involved in that process as well. We're getting ready to paint and redo all of the 14
- downtown kiosks. We're going to repaint them the same green, put all new art and stuff on them, have
- that stuff up and ready before graduation week. And I did get the latest economic, tourism economic
- impact report.
- It was for 2024, and it's hard for me to go back and think about 2024. I will say that total visitor
- spend, and I know I've emailed you all about this and sent you the link to it. It's on our website.
- You can find it. I'm happy to send it to you again. Total visitor spending was down a little bit in
- 2024 versus 2023. 2023 was the record year. We were at 509 million. It did go down to 498 for 2024.
- I think that's due too.
- The record here in 2023 we were still seeing a bunch of code. Revenge travel going on in 2024. Certainly
- there were a few fewer visitors here. People were spending less per person per visitor and stuff like
- that. But the overall tourism gross domestic product in Bloomington, which is.
- you know, the direct expenditures in our industry were up versus 2023. So that's a good sign. You know,
- all in all, lodging was the category that was up in 2024, while food and beverage, shopping and entertainment
- were a little bit down versus 2023. I think it reflected the food and beverage tax collection. So it's
- a few surprises. Yeah.
- I did talk, there is a, I'm having a webinar with the company that did that on Thursday of this week
- to ask some more specific questions. I mean, food and beverage obviously is collected by everybody and
- the large percentage of that are locals. So this is a tour, this is a visitor economic impact. So I
- think that's a part of it as well. But you know, I want to ask the question. I don't exactly know how
- they measure short-term rental business because, you know,
- How do they see that? I want to hear more about that because obviously ours has been exploding, but
- I'm happy to answer your questions, but I have good stuff going on. In your economic impact report,
- that is on visitwilliamson.com. That's on visitwilliamson.com on the impact page. I'll definitely send
- you all a link to it. Send some of the partner newsletter that I sent out
- I think I'd send it to you earlier and ask you a question about what you thought about getting here
- and put on it. But I'll be sure to send it to this group again. That's great. Thank you very much. Any
- thoughts or questions? Can I add? Oh, sure. Yes. We just came off a very successful idea in the air
- school show. And then last Saturday, I can't think of the mention center staff enough for their help.
- They're always wonderful to work with. And they're, anytime anything might slightly go wrong. So there's
- 23 members.
- We're excited to see what next year brings into the space. The sky is the limit there. It's kind of
- scary in a way, because we are so used to what we can do here. So I've already had conversations with
- Lisa, and she's like, I've been thinking. That's awesome. I just want to thank you all. Attendance,
- I think, was down a little bit, especially on Saturday, which is usually our busiest day, because it
- just poured like cats and dogs.
- to have a roof. Any questions for Laura or for Mike with the Bovington team? It's a fantastic lot of
- stuff. Okay, lots of stuff going on here too.
- Okay, well, your top sheet, well, first of all, visibility is fabulous as well. It's been fun working
- on that. And all the ladies go downtown and do their shopping and go to lunch and give their umbrellas
- to get to where they're going. And several of the stores mentioned that they've seen people in this
- store over the weekend. So that's that value of tourism and support for the overall community. I am super
- and this. These were all the ARCA funds. We are done next week with the lights upstairs. And this has
- been a three-year labor of love investing in this building, which has also helped ease some of the capital
- here. So this is just a list of the items that have been done. And I'm super excited about that, which
- are working out well. Then Jean is out of town.
- this week, but I wanted to share her report as well. 63 events in January, February, and some of those
- events, the Cudger Hills Food Bank simple was here with 800 people. They sell out tickets within a couple
- of days. 100 Cooks Who Care, a huge donation to different local nonprofits. We had the Indiana Environmental
- Resilience Institute here, and they
- love coming to Wilmington, just because we exude sustainability all over town in a variety of ways.
- So they really look to Wilmington as the leader in that. But other events through extension, there are
- four agricultural related events this year, which I find very interesting, the things that the farmers
- are going through, the topics that they're needing to discuss now with different soybeans and tariffs.
- found that interesting. It's the first time we've had that many on that topic. Council for Exception
- of Children, a state conference. Kiwanis District Conference is coming up next weekend, and a behavior
- conference, 300 people for two days in March. Then Petty Home is having a conference in April, and it's
- going to be a regional event that they're bringing in some top speakers.
- So that'll be interesting. Cook Medical, Oval Supplier Meeting, Indiana Geographic Information Council.
- This group comes every year. It brings a significant number of people. IU, Early Intervention Conferences
- for Children, Education, Computer Science Teachers. So IU School of Medicine, the Purdue Extension for
- H3C, and so some really land reference
- topic and new events this year that are new conferences. Thank you for coming to your teams on stuff.
- You did a great job selling things and working with Gene. So we're excited about that calendar. And
- then on the back for 27, we have events that are booked and conferences that are booked. And so events
- from here, this will be closed January through June in this building. So we'll push those events over
- to the new building
- Some of those ones that sell out immediately are pretty excited about that. So Farm Bureau in February
- in a tourism association conference is gonna be good to have them here and see the new building. And
- I think the best part about this is they're doing it sight unseen. They're doing it from trust from
- different staff as well as renderings and what the space is. Indiana Emergency Nurses Association
- good one, I think, and the Association of Community Corrections. And you had a dental association, 600
- people for four days. So I think this is a great thing. And there's something about every month. It's
- like a significant conference opening next year. So what we're finding with that is some of these larger
- groups, they're just kind of at next level in the conversations that we have with them.
- have third party meeting planners, and so a little pushback in some of our policies that we have now.
- Nothing that we haven't been able to overcome, but it's just, we can already tell there are different
- conversations with sports teams, and one's a music series that's interested, and it's different using
- the building different and different leads, and so that's been pretty interesting. So we've revised
- some of our service
- And so, but we've been able to work with everybody at this point. The other things with the expansion,
- we're working with the Capital Improvement Board. They're on track for January 8th, construction being
- completed. And of course, we'd have to get all our occupancy permits so that our Homeland Security personnel
- needs to be on speed dial whenever it's time for those permits.
- Starting to look at equipment and equipment purchases. They've got a pretty good budget for doing that.
- So stages, dance floors, also IT.
- Let's see, oh, we have hired a maintenance staff member, which I'm pretty excited about that. We were
- going to do that the first quarter of this year, and has already proved to be invaluable, just walking
- around fixing things and handling different pump up emergencies that Pat would have to deal with, or
- I'd have to spend my whole day dealing with. So I'm pretty excited about that. So his name's Sean Porter.
- extensive fixes ability, so that's really pretty exciting. Then, Jean's tweaking the marketing plan
- some, just adding more relevant venue comparisons and really setting people up at those kind of facilities
- to see what they're saying, how they're saying it, what they're offering. So she's working through that
- with different sponsorships
- what would make sense now that we're going to that next level and how we need to do those types of incentives
- for groups to get here. We are using that, if you look from 27, if you have a certain number of overnight
- loans and then 28. So I think that's been really instrumental in getting these groups here.
- Other organizations to belong to and make sure you get a mortgage to someone International Life Events
- Association that's planners and computers and
- So we're interested in that funding and that monetization. I do have a HFI for a packet of investment.
- Now that we're through these market funds. Is that one of the claims? It's not a claim, but I wanted
- to get it on your radar. It'll take four months, five months to possibly get it in. But the kitchen
- air conditioning unit is now officially
- So it's the only unit that feeds the kitchen. And it's because it's in an odd location. It's on the
- second floor.
- I think that's all. Does anybody have any questions? Any questions or comments for the publisher?
- that's done in operation with the sales team. Oh, yes. And we're seeing the same things and using the
- same data. And so we can most effectively work in this facility. Yeah, I think Sean would agree. The
- other thing, really, as we're talking about this marketing plan, is how transportation and housing between
- facilities
- I think if Dan Burton would drive a van from hotel to hotel and pick people up. The jam van,
- the jam van. We have talked about just stuff like that. We will, I will say, we never allow it because
- we wouldn't get somebody to drive.
- This facility is a different scale than what we're talking about in those larger facilities. If we're
- just building what we've always done, then that was a big error in building that thing. When we're talking
- about larger groups, larger functions, and so the infrastructure, that also has to scale as well, too.
- So as you're thinking about the market,
- at least for the next few years, we've got to figure out how are the people in this community and not
- just happy.
- Well, and he's already wanting to get over and look at the new space and there have been questions on
- the outside. So it's been nice to have contractors that have worked in this building as well to know
- the answer to that question.
- We've got some money to spend. So there are several things in here that are listed.
- put in for the Commissioner's Bureau of Monroe County. Second quarter operating funds in the amount
- of $557,333.34. So budgeted amount for the year. The question was, is this a quarter of a claim?
- requested higher amount in the first quarter since we had higher bills to pay in the first quarter.
- And this is the balance of the appropriated funds divided by three quarters. I got you. So that's why
- the number looks less certain. Yeah. So I was looking at I'm trying to do the math
- Other questions on that, I have no questions about that. Motion and a second. Marsha, would you move
- us to roll call them, please? Mike? Yes. Herbie? Trent? Yes. The next claim that's before us is for
- convention services for the second quarter
- the DVI for a convention center management of this facility. That quarterly amount is $148,025. This
- would be for the second quarter. Questions or comments? We'll get them in a second. Marsha, would you
- like us to have a vote on that? Am I? Yes.
- The next one that's before us is first quarter professional fees to this body for Marsha Roach in the
- amount of $147.
- Okay, this is a, those are all routine-ish. This one is a new claim that is for Anticipated Visitors
- Center build out expenses. As I understand it, architecture needs things to get started.
- This would be after $50,000. We had allocated $600,000 for the total product, and we're up to that amount.
- But this first $50,000 would be to get things started in the process room. Mike, anything else?
- Yes, and this is for this quarter, you know, March, April, May, June. And we just didn't get an invoice
- for some builder permit fees. But I thought it was kind of low. But I mean, we're taking them as they
- come. And I anticipate the next quarter and the next one will be the larger ones and watching it.
- closely and and we'll have all those details for you as they as they come in. So there'll probably be
- a little bit in you know bills won't come in until the end of year so there'll be some in 27 as well.
- Your point and your question is it enough funds to get you through the intelligence room? Yes, I thought
- I'd ask them multiple times. Okay, so you feel it's low, but they're like... It's not, we're just not
- spending the money. It's planning now. It's just planning and they're not buying it. Right. Okay. Motion.
- Marcia, would you move us to a roll call? Aye. Yes. Kirby?
- one before us is blue and company LLC $2,000 for building corporation tax preparation. This is for the
- now dissolved Bundrum County building corporation. So this should be. This is the end.
- This would come from the general. Under the insurance expense, yes. The general plan. If you want to
- get this over with, there will be one
- OK, any other questions? Second. Yes, Harvey. So the claims we have before us today. Your business.
- business item for the committee that House Bill 1210 passed the Indiana State Legislature and
- the corresponding Senate bill both passed. The relevant part of that is that it allows for the appointment
- of another CBC member, voting member, to join this body.
- meeting, but then after that, the like of the other additional. Of course, all of the stuff that we
- allocated for was all taken care of. And I'll get that. They have
- They're working on the roads and just doing some upgrades to, you know, it's kind of rough to drive
- back there and things like that. So just little infrastructure improvements on their own. It's about,
- you know, concessions and different things like that would be one of the events. Field wise they have
- what they need. Yeah, they're working right. Is there three fields on top? Is that right? Two. Two on the top.
- new business. Old business items. It looks good. It feels like things are starting to. At the end of
- May, they'll actually try to
- room and build a little temporary block so that we can start working on connecting. And you still will
- be having events here in the Great Britain. Yes. And we, yes, the capacity once the hall is in will
- drop down to about 300 or 350, but that will be next year. Okay. What is it now?
- This fact is set for Habitat for Humanities tonight for 550 people upstairs. So we want to get a look
- at what that looks like. Now it's a good time to go look at it. I will say the properties to the south,
- the places
- was the idea of developing the Convention Center campus, which included the building, hotel, parking,
- and really taking advantage of going to that next level in tourism. So this has been going on for at
- least 16 years.
- So it's very all business. It's exciting to see this go into the next step after going in circles for
- years. Well, that's a pretty good segue. If there's any other items other than that, then your next
- item on the agenda is public comment. I understand your public comment. Yeah. So you introduce yourself
- and then let us know. Sounds good. First of all, it's really nice to hear about how you're attracting
- everyone to Bloomington. So my name is Rebecca Stukes. I've lived here my whole life and I always noticed
- Bloomington had a lot going on and I never knew that, you know, that all the work that went into it.
- So this has been really interesting. So I'm the treasurer of the local chapter of the Bloomington Democratic
- Socialists of America. We are very concerned with housing affordability for working class people and
- I wanted to
- since we talked about how the block was bought in 2010. How many people bought their home before the
- pandemic? Yeah. So I bought my house in 2014 and I'm extremely lucky. We all know things have changed
- drastically since then. If I hadn't bought a house between like then and now,
- paying more than a thousand dollars more a month if I was renting. I think we got like lucky to walk
- in that low price. I mean we are currently in an affordability crisis and you might have heard the bull.
- Throwing that around it's serious. Something that you might want to consider is like where your workers
- will live probably a lot of them are
- So preserving any affordable housing that still exists still out there is I would recommend like prioritizing
- that and considering changing those old plans that were made you know 16 years ago before everything
- has been flipped on its head. So what I want to recommend is if I'm talking about the seminary point
- apartments so it sounds like
- What I learned is that it's an old building that needs repairs. One of my friends lives there and despite
- being an old building it's still like extremely affordable or lower than most things in the town. So
- there's a couple things I'd like ask you to consider. Sounds like it's a hassle to maintain. I would
- recommend like
- county transferring it to like a community land trust partner or the city. That way it can be maintained
- by someone or some organization that can care about it. It can be out of your hands. The community land
- trusts are a model that can guarantee permanently affordable housing and it would be like give
- the opportunity for the tenants to give feedback and
- participate in maintaining and governing the building. So that that's something I would recommend. Like
- given the changing circumstances since it was first bought things are completely different. So my points
- are like to recommend not displacing the residents and you know don't destroy that apartment block for
- the hotel. Instead just transfer ownership of the
- I learned today that like it the future number of beds are going to be leaving sounds like you you do
- need a hotel you want it. I would consider or recommend considering like you have a lot of parking area.
- Maybe changing how you build a hotel so it has parking at anything like the graduate does. I mean.
- using space more efficiently. So that way it could be a win-win. Hand off that affordable apartment
- housing to a different entity. Maybe get your money back from the city and then you can still have your
- hotel just taking consideration of the changes. So thank you very much.
- as I can say, just to address and then if you have any follow-up questions, please let us know. And
- then if there are any other personal qualities that I'd also like to say, you can ask me. I appreciate
- you being here. I appreciate you bringing this up. You're right. I mean, we have, I personally manage
- a facility that has a lot
- And oftentimes that does get in the service industry. So I don't want to speak for everybody, but I know.
- expansion and the infrastructure rapidly. It is hard to acquire them because every time
- It's up on where the hotel would go at this point. It's not necessarily this money that does that. The
- land was purchased with the accumulation to allow for that. Or other things that would support an expanded
- convince there like places to eat. Things of that nature.
- intentional is never to run. It's always built with development. You presented it in your
- Until next time.