WEBVTT 00:00:06.050 --> 00:00:13.690 - Okay. John Weichart. Yes. Okay, so that's approved. Item number three, Treasurer's Report, Mr. Silberstein. 00:00:13.690 --> 00:00:21.047 - Sorry, no Treasurer's Report at this time. Okay, thank you. Item number five is the President's Report, 00:00:21.047 --> 00:00:28.262 - and it's not bulleted. However, there are change orders that we need to look at today, one which will 00:00:28.262 --> 00:00:33.214 - require your approval. And I don't know, do we have a slide for that? 00:00:38.882 --> 00:00:47.877 - sent the information out to the members of the board so they've seen it. I just want to wait and make 00:00:47.877 --> 00:00:56.961 - sure it's up here for the public to see as well. In the meantime, if anybody has a little ditty they'd 00:00:56.961 --> 00:01:06.750 - like to sing for a moment. There we are. So we have several change orders that are under the $25,000 threshold 00:01:06.850 --> 00:01:14.759 - which I have been authorized to approve. They are in order at electrical for a for tour bus. And you'll 00:01:14.759 --> 00:01:20.158 - notice the codes that we've added codes for which of the three reasons 00:01:20.322 --> 00:01:27.526 - for change orders, are these being made? Number one, unforeseen conditions. Number two, error or omission. 00:01:27.526 --> 00:01:34.394 - Number three, owner requests. So adding electrical for the tour bus is an owner request. Cut concrete 00:01:34.394 --> 00:01:41.396 - for air burial install was an error and omission. Add electrical to roof for maintenance equipment that 00:01:41.396 --> 00:01:46.782 - had not been included. That was an owner's request. Adding steel reinforcement. 00:01:47.266 --> 00:01:53.980 - was an error and omission. Replacing curb is an owner request. The curb, just quickly to say, the curb 00:01:53.980 --> 00:02:00.760 - on the east side, some of it was going to be cut out, some of it was going to be left, so we were going 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:07.474 - to have new old, new old, and so we requested that we just put all new curbs in on that side. Millwork 00:02:07.474 --> 00:02:14.188 - for stairs and corner guards, error and omission, and then one that I'm sure you'll be pleased to see, 00:02:14.188 --> 00:02:16.926 - which is a credit back to us of $128,521, 00:02:17.122 --> 00:02:24.154 - I'd like to change this to owner request. We asked for $128,000 back, but it's actually because of an 00:02:24.154 --> 00:02:31.048 - unforeseen condition that we didn't need it. So those were the ones that I approved. Before we move 00:02:31.048 --> 00:02:38.494 - on, are there any questions about my approvals since we've last met? All right. And then we have a request. 00:02:39.810 --> 00:02:45.872 - for over $25,000, which is for unforeseen and below slab condi—wait a minute, where am I looking at 00:02:45.872 --> 00:02:51.934 - the over 20—oh, I'm sorry, that's the one you have to approve. So you have to formally approve that 00:02:51.934 --> 00:02:58.114 - you want $128,000 back. So is there a motion to approve—okay, so we have a motion. Is there a second? 00:02:58.114 --> 00:03:03.998 - All right, so it's been moved and seconded. Does anybody want to argue that we want $128,000 back? 00:03:04.130 --> 00:03:11.374 - Seeing no argument, that one is approved. So that takes care of the change orders. And then you can 00:03:11.374 --> 00:03:18.835 - see this month what that amounts to. You can see contingency use to date, which is 28% of our original 00:03:18.835 --> 00:03:26.079 - contingency, leaving a remaining contingency of $1.7 plus million. Mr. Baird. A question for Jason, 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:29.918 - if I may. Obviously, it's speculative, but given how 00:03:30.498 --> 00:03:37.784 - We are on this project at 28% contingency expended. Do you have a thought on what that might grow to? 00:03:37.784 --> 00:03:44.999 - It feels like we're in pretty good shape here. So I would, yes, I would agree with you that we're in 00:03:44.999 --> 00:03:52.427 - pretty good shape that we've only that we've used almost a quarter less than a third of the contingency 00:03:52.427 --> 00:03:58.142 - that's in place and we have six months left. Yeah, so I mean we're past the 50% 00:03:58.466 --> 00:04:06.447 - This is usually the change orders that you run into. The contingencies are more of the unforeseen conditions. 00:04:06.447 --> 00:04:13.775 - Yeah, and sometimes it's you might run into weather related things that cause increases. So knock on 00:04:13.775 --> 00:04:21.031 - wood as long as you know we don't find anything else as the weather for you know behaves itself and 00:04:21.031 --> 00:04:27.198 - you know there's not a whole lot more to ask for. We should be in really good shape. 00:04:29.154 --> 00:04:37.318 - Before I'm going to come back to Mr. Bruce, I forgot to ask for a roll call vote on the over $50,000. 00:04:37.318 --> 00:04:45.402 - So is there a motion? We have a motion. We have a second. So we need to vote on that. Jay Baer? Yes. 00:04:45.402 --> 00:04:54.206 - Jim Soberstein? Yes. Joyce Poehling? Yes. Doug Bruce? Yes. Galen Cassidy? Yes. John Weichart? Yes. Thank you. 00:04:54.850 --> 00:05:01.930 - Now, Mr. Bruce. Just to follow up on Mr. Baer's question, the contingency amount though, is that a total 00:05:01.930 --> 00:05:08.741 - amount for the total project which includes the renovation portion of this building also? So that's, 00:05:08.741 --> 00:05:15.552 - we'll want to keep an eye on it just because new projects tend to not draw as much, but a renovation 00:05:15.552 --> 00:05:22.834 - you could certainly uncover some unknown, unforeseen circumstances. So we'll want to go into the renovation 00:05:22.834 --> 00:05:24.318 - of this building with 00:05:24.418 --> 00:05:30.941 - with a hefty contingency still, I would think. And I know, if I may, that we've talked about in particular 00:05:30.941 --> 00:05:37.281 - that we approved new windows. And we're in an old building, and we begin to tear these old windows out. 00:05:37.281 --> 00:05:43.987 - And we're not sure what unforeseen conditions we may find. So we do have to carefully monitor the contingency 00:05:43.987 --> 00:05:50.206 - funds that we have left in the event we need them for those kinds of unforeseen conditions. Any other 00:05:50.206 --> 00:05:51.486 - comments, questions? 00:05:53.250 --> 00:06:07.150 - All right, construction update, Andrew Sherry from Weddell. Perfect, thank you, John. Share my screen 00:06:07.150 --> 00:06:19.006 - here. Okay, so we'll get started on the construction progress and upcoming activities. 00:06:19.234 --> 00:06:26.120 - Here is a picture as of this morning from the northeast entrance seeing the north elevation as you can 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:32.806 - kind of see here a lot of your glasses installed on the north side we are jumping to the other side 00:06:32.806 --> 00:06:39.759 - of our feature wall on masonry columns and then we will have probably next week this northeast entrance 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:43.102 - the frames start to go in at those those areas so 00:06:43.234 --> 00:06:48.900 - Steel progress, structural steel update. All of our supplemental steel is completed in the exhibit hall. 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:54.458 - We are scanning tomorrow for all of our partition walls so that those will be on order. We'll probably 00:06:54.458 --> 00:06:59.855 - see those at the job site. Ready for install in eight weeks. We'll see where we're at as far as the 00:06:59.855 --> 00:07:05.359 - overhead progress. Our stairs are in progress. These are the grand stairs right here in this picture. 00:07:05.359 --> 00:07:10.971 - So the terrazzo treads and everything obviously are not there, but we're working on grand stairs, north 00:07:10.971 --> 00:07:13.022 - patio egress and backup house access. 00:07:13.154 --> 00:07:18.680 - And then the remainder of the work that we have for the iron workers are just miscellaneous accessories, 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:23.942 - handrails around the loading dock areas, things like that. Interior concrete, so our access slab is 00:07:23.942 --> 00:07:29.468 - going to be completed within two weeks. Again, that's just the access that we had for the pump to finish 00:07:29.468 --> 00:07:34.940 - out our north elevated deck. So north deck done, button up some underground at the restroom where we've 00:07:34.940 --> 00:07:38.782 - been pulling trucks in and out, and then button that up and then we have 00:07:38.978 --> 00:07:44.906 - 100% of our slabs completed. And then we're finishing on our west elevations as far as curtain wall 00:07:44.906 --> 00:07:51.011 - systems. Exterior concrete, our east side site work has started. So this picture here is the southeast 00:07:51.011 --> 00:07:56.998 - ramp, which is in progress. Our sidewalk subgrade is in progress. And then we are preparing for curb 00:07:56.998 --> 00:08:03.281 - and sidewalk pours next week. So curves have been removed, the remainder of the concrete has been removed 00:08:03.281 --> 00:08:07.134 - again, and then prepping the site for our exterior improvements. 00:08:09.858 --> 00:08:15.412 - exterior progress. Our exterior column wraps are in progress on the north elevation. Granite and limestone 00:08:15.412 --> 00:08:20.603 - is starting on the west elevation. Curtain wall frames and glass are in progress on west elevation. 00:08:20.603 --> 00:08:25.897 - Our perimeter canopy vapor barrier is in progress to prep for our metal panels. So they're working on 00:08:25.897 --> 00:08:31.296 - the metal panels right now on the bottom of the connector, buttoning up, and then they're going to jump 00:08:31.296 --> 00:08:36.798 - over to the new expansion project and we'll start to see this eyebrow take shape. This picture here is on 00:08:37.026 --> 00:08:42.764 - the southeast side of the project looking north towards the parking garage. Our south exterior CMU walls 00:08:42.764 --> 00:08:48.393 - are in progress at the south loading dock area. The metal panels, I think we have a delivery today for 00:08:48.393 --> 00:08:54.022 - the building. And then our roof is installed other than the tie-in at the perimeter and our connector. 00:08:54.022 --> 00:08:59.542 - So our back of house roof is all dried in. We'll actually talk about it, but we have electrical gear 00:08:59.542 --> 00:09:03.422 - that has landed on the job and they're starting hookup and everything. 00:09:05.730 --> 00:09:11.866 - Here are some exterior photos. So this is our east elevation on the left-hand side. As you can see where 00:09:11.866 --> 00:09:17.886 - this lift is, this is our sidewalk prep and then our northeast entrance. Again, prepping for hopefully 00:09:17.886 --> 00:09:23.847 - next week to start setting frames at these corners at these entrances. Here is a photo. Both of these 00:09:23.847 --> 00:09:29.866 - are from the north side. The bottom picture is trying to show the connector progress with our closure, 00:09:29.866 --> 00:09:33.022 - the patio, and then the top picture is the northeast. 00:09:35.714 --> 00:09:40.967 - Interior progress, the bulk of our interior walls are nearing completion. We have miscellaneous areas 00:09:40.967 --> 00:09:46.169 - that are gonna be finalized. So around the exhibit hall, we've got 12 foot duct returns, things like 00:09:46.169 --> 00:09:51.680 - that. As they install those risers, then we'll button up the framing and drywall around those. Mechanical, 00:09:51.680 --> 00:09:56.882 - electrical and plumbing and fire protection rough ends are in progress. Our interior inspections are 00:09:56.882 --> 00:10:02.187 - underway so that we can start drywall. We've inspected and passed the east corridor, south wall of the 00:10:02.187 --> 00:10:03.166 - main exhibit hall. 00:10:03.298 --> 00:10:08.431 - and the south mechanical space. So again, we've broke these areas out to get these approvals so that 00:10:08.431 --> 00:10:13.564 - at the end of this month when we get temporary climate control in, we'll start finishing drywall and 00:10:13.564 --> 00:10:18.747 - closing things in. Our back of house interior masonry walls are topping out. This photo right here on 00:10:18.747 --> 00:10:23.880 - the right-hand side is the electrical room in the back of house and this is the electrical gear that 00:10:23.880 --> 00:10:29.165 - they're working on. So this is what we're actually gonna use for our temporary climate control and then 00:10:29.165 --> 00:10:32.062 - energize the building. With that said, we have equipment 00:10:32.418 --> 00:10:38.882 - equipment deliveries that have started. Electrical gear is here. And then in August, we'll see plumbing 00:10:38.882 --> 00:10:45.098 - equipment, mechanical equipment, things like that. Here's some interior photos. The top left is the 00:10:45.098 --> 00:10:51.376 - backup house. So on the left-hand side, that is your South ramp to get to the loading dock area. And 00:10:51.376 --> 00:10:57.779 - then the bottom right picture is the South exhibit hall wall. So fully insulated. You can see the duct 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:00.638 - work progress through here, things like that. 00:11:02.082 --> 00:11:08.717 - Top left photo here is the main entrance to the exhibit hall, the three doors, and then the right picture 00:11:08.717 --> 00:11:14.976 - is the east corridor. So again, we're getting very close. As soon as we get our building energized, 00:11:14.976 --> 00:11:21.736 - put temporary climate control in there and really start our going, closing areas in with drywall, finishing 00:11:21.736 --> 00:11:27.995 - drywall, and then prepping for paint. Upcoming activities, interior wall, drywall and insulation to 00:11:27.995 --> 00:11:30.686 - progress. Prepare for painting activities. 00:11:30.914 --> 00:11:36.377 - Fireproofing will be completed on the project. They started in our last main area, which is back of 00:11:36.377 --> 00:11:41.895 - house. Interior stairs to be completed, setting electrical and mechanical equipment, the entirety of 00:11:41.895 --> 00:11:47.631 - in-wall and overhead rough ends to continue, and then plan on completing our masonry scope, which again, 00:11:47.631 --> 00:11:53.149 - the remainder of that is just the back of house area. Upcoming exterior work, exterior limestone and 00:11:53.149 --> 00:11:56.318 - granite to be completed at the perimeter of the building. 00:11:56.418 --> 00:12:02.020 - Loading dock area feature walls to follow exterior walls. So as we button up our south wall, they'll 00:12:02.020 --> 00:12:07.622 - fall into the connector column enclosures, the south wall along college, the trash enclosure, things 00:12:07.622 --> 00:12:13.169 - like that. Our roofing system to start tying into the perimeter metal panels. So we set these metal 00:12:13.169 --> 00:12:18.938 - panels, they'll come in and detail that out. Exterior CMU brick to be completed on the north elevation. 00:12:18.938 --> 00:12:24.318 - So all of our column wraps to allow for our curtain walls, glass and everything to be installed. 00:12:24.482 --> 00:12:30.165 - And then we're also starting to prepare for our third street improvements. So the median changes, the 00:12:30.165 --> 00:12:35.848 - new loop detectors, sidewalks, curbs, and remilling. Connector activities. So the photo right here on 00:12:35.848 --> 00:12:41.531 - the right-hand side is looking towards the existing convention center. These are the metal panels and 00:12:41.531 --> 00:12:47.102 - the lights installed. We have curtain wall frames nearing completion over College Avenue right now. 00:12:47.362 --> 00:12:53.581 - I'll actually show some pictures. We have the majority of glazing in. We are going column to column 00:12:53.581 --> 00:12:59.986 - across college so that we can reopen next Friday. Glazing systems are currently being installed, metal 00:12:59.986 --> 00:13:06.205 - panels to be completed. And then again, we will open next Friday on the 24th. Here's a photo of the 00:13:06.205 --> 00:13:12.672 - glass installed on the south side from the second floor. Again, they're putting these panels in so that 00:13:12.672 --> 00:13:17.150 - either they'll hide the steel here and then put these filler panels in. 00:13:18.690 --> 00:13:25.909 - and then here's a photo from the second floor on the north elevation. So personally think it looks really 00:13:25.909 --> 00:13:32.924 - good, a lot of work. Crews have been working hard long days to get these installed and we are on track 00:13:32.924 --> 00:13:39.871 - for our opening next Friday. Thank you. I wanted to ask with Mr. Turner's vacation, did anything fall 00:13:39.871 --> 00:13:46.750 - behind or did we continue to make good progress? It was hard to not hear him for a week. Yeah, okay. 00:13:46.850 --> 00:13:52.003 - Any questions about the report? And I didn't see any pictures of the tour that was taken by some of 00:13:52.003 --> 00:13:57.362 - our board members and Mr. Askins. I know they toured the building and I didn't see any photos. I shared 00:13:57.362 --> 00:14:02.617 - them on Facebook this morning. They're on Facebook. Okay, so if you want to look at Facebook, you can 00:14:02.617 --> 00:14:07.976 - see them on Facebook. So, seeing no questions for Mr. Ferri. I've got just a quick one. Oh, a question. 00:14:07.976 --> 00:14:13.438 - Mr. Silberstein. Yeah, the overhangs, the canopies, they're wrapped in metal. What sort of metal is that? 00:14:14.050 --> 00:14:20.308 - Um, I would have to see what our metal panels are. Um, Eddie may be able to answer. Yeah. If you can 00:14:20.308 --> 00:14:26.753 - go back to the photo of the bridge, that might be the thunder side. I'm talking about the canopy. Yeah, 00:14:26.753 --> 00:14:33.135 - it's the same thing. It's the same thing. Is it aluminum or is it? It's aluminum. It's aluminum. Okay. 00:14:33.135 --> 00:14:39.703 - Yeah. Just thinking about, yeah, it's totally exposed to the weather. Yeah. Aluminum's good. Okay. Anyone 00:14:39.703 --> 00:14:41.438 - else? All right. Thank you. 00:14:41.570 --> 00:14:48.411 - Moving on to working group updates, the first one is wayfinding. Mr. Layton, I believe, has some information 00:14:48.411 --> 00:14:54.938 - he'd like to share with us. Yes. So we are at the point now where we have received bids and we're ready 00:14:54.938 --> 00:15:01.465 - to get those approved. So I was going to kind of update the group on what we've been doing for the past 00:15:01.465 --> 00:15:07.992 - month. So talk about the process we went through a little bit, the results and then the recommendation. 00:15:07.992 --> 00:15:10.942 - So just the process, the schedule we followed. 00:15:11.170 --> 00:15:19.000 - Basically, the project was out to bid in May. We received those bids last month on the 17th. We spent 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:26.907 - the last few weeks reviewing those bids so we could have our recommendation today. And just a reminder 00:15:26.907 --> 00:15:35.198 - of where the costs we were looking at for these estimated cost before we bid the project was that the total 00:15:35.330 --> 00:15:41.135 - A project including the design fees would be around $471,000, which if you took out the design fees 00:15:41.135 --> 00:15:47.229 - for what the bid would be, you know, you're right around $398, something like that. So that's what we're 00:15:47.229 --> 00:15:50.654 - expecting to do. We did receive four bids for the project. 00:15:50.946 --> 00:15:57.977 - ranging in a cost from $213,000 up to $517,000. We reviewed the scope with the low bidder, apparent 00:15:57.977 --> 00:16:05.360 - low bidder, which is Greenfield Signs. We discovered they did not include the $60,000 contingency within 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:12.532 - their bid, which, if you add that to their number, made them no longer the low bidder. So we moved on 00:16:12.532 --> 00:16:19.564 - to the second low bid of Graphic House to inquire same thing. Thankfully, they said they were. They 00:16:19.564 --> 00:16:20.478 - did have the 00:16:20.610 --> 00:16:29.513 - That amount included. And so our recommendation was to award that to Graphic House. Happy to take questions. 00:16:29.513 --> 00:16:38.089 - So we have that as a recommendation. Is there a motion to approve the recommendation? Is there a second? 00:16:38.089 --> 00:16:47.646 - Second. Second. So it's been moved and seconded. So now, is there any discussion or questions or comments, Mr. Baer? 00:16:49.090 --> 00:16:57.341 - Is this wayfinding package solely for this building or for both buildings, or for the new building or 00:16:57.341 --> 00:17:05.591 - both buildings? Both buildings. Okay. Any other questions? All right, seeing none, Mr. Parrish, would 00:17:05.591 --> 00:17:14.003 - you take the roll? Jay Baer? Yes. Jim Silberstein? Yes. Joyce Polling? Doug Bruce? Yes. Gaelen Cassidy? 00:17:14.003 --> 00:17:17.886 - Yes. John Weichart? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Layton. 00:17:18.082 --> 00:17:25.569 - Anything on furniture fixtures and equipment? I don't believe we have anything this month. No, things 00:17:25.569 --> 00:17:33.276 - are out to bid. We'll have should have something at the next meeting. Okay, thank you. Art installations 00:17:33.276 --> 00:17:40.763 - update. I don't believe we have anything for this month. So the next item is report on the demolition 00:17:40.763 --> 00:17:48.030 - process and I believe JS held has information for us on that. I want to make sure I have my notes. 00:17:48.194 --> 00:17:57.047 - Just a quick update. We are reviewing proposals from BRCJ for demo documents and from that environmental 00:17:57.047 --> 00:18:05.647 - for face to review of the properties. And we'll make recommendations to Mr. President when completed. 00:18:05.647 --> 00:18:10.622 - So that is our update at the moment. All right, thank you. 00:18:10.722 --> 00:18:16.776 - Next item of business, number eight, report and recommendation from Hotel Evaluation Group. 00:18:16.776 --> 00:18:23.686 - It says JS Held, but I'll go ahead and report back on what happened in our evaluation meeting yesterday. 00:18:23.686 --> 00:18:30.793 - Introducing the recommendation from the Hotel Evaluation Group, let me provide some background information. 00:18:30.793 --> 00:18:35.070 - It has been quite a journey to the recommendation we have today. 00:18:35.810 --> 00:18:42.544 - our many attempts over the last two and a half years to complete our project goals by advancing a host 00:18:42.544 --> 00:18:49.279 - hotel project from contributing assistance to the RDC process in the earlier unsuccessful attempt when 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:55.948 - we were asked to in October of 2025 and more recently in acquiring ownership of the land we needed so 00:18:55.948 --> 00:19:02.878 - that this board could release its own RFP have been both exhaustive and at times exhausting. After April, 00:19:03.170 --> 00:19:10.028 - Or in April, after gaining control of land to offer, we released a new RFP with three basic requirements. 00:19:10.028 --> 00:19:16.498 - Build on our parcels, build a full service hotel to our requirements. Do not ask for any additional 00:19:16.498 --> 00:19:23.033 - subsidies as a contingency. And there was always a fourth goal that was implied. Don't just meet the 00:19:23.033 --> 00:19:29.374 - minimum requirements, inspire us with the unique design to show your commitment to our community. 00:19:30.562 --> 00:19:37.012 - The Dora hospitality proposal not only met expectations for 200 guest rooms, restaurant and bar, fitness 00:19:37.012 --> 00:19:43.277 - center and meeting space, but it exceeded expectations, including a plan for 200 parking spaces. Dora 00:19:43.277 --> 00:19:49.542 - proposed an architectural design that is not only aesthetically and uniquely created for Bloomington, 00:19:49.542 --> 00:19:55.439 - but one that allows us to vision a host hotel on South College that has the potential to anchor 00:19:55.439 --> 00:20:00.414 - transformational Southward development of our community. Cindy, do we have that? 00:20:00.642 --> 00:20:06.959 - Yeah. We've got some slides that we wanted to kind of run on a loop as we talk about this. We are already 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:12.978 - familiar with the team of Vince Dora, Russ Lauderback, and David Rausch. They came back to us having 00:20:12.978 --> 00:20:19.116 - Adelwebel Brothers, ensuring the contribution of our own well-known construction team member to theirs 00:20:19.116 --> 00:20:25.255 - with a local workforce that lives here and contributes to the economic benefit of our community. Wages 00:20:25.255 --> 00:20:27.102 - paid here, wages staying here. 00:20:28.354 --> 00:20:35.587 - Dora followed up after their interview last week to express appreciation for that opportunity, but also 00:20:35.587 --> 00:20:42.542 - to communicate the following to us. And I'm going to read an email that was received last week from 00:20:42.542 --> 00:20:49.705 - Mr. Louderback. John and Jim, Jim B and Jim Whitlatch, thank you for the opportunity to present to the 00:20:49.705 --> 00:20:51.166 - CIV board last week. 00:20:51.938 --> 00:20:58.428 - We genuinely enjoyed the conversation and left feeling even more energized about the project and what 00:20:58.428 --> 00:21:05.110 - it can be for the city of Bloomington. We wanna take this opportunity to let you all know that the south 00:21:05.110 --> 00:21:11.664 - parcels are our preferred site for the convention center hotel. And we are fully committed to building 00:21:11.664 --> 00:21:18.027 - there. This is not a fallback position. It is where we want to build and we've been planning around 00:21:18.027 --> 00:21:20.318 - it. The site works for the program, 00:21:20.578 --> 00:21:25.729 - It works for the guest experience and it works for the long-term relationship between the hotel and 00:21:25.729 --> 00:21:30.933 - the convention center. Russ and I are ready to move forward the moment the CIB is ready to move with 00:21:30.933 --> 00:21:36.239 - us. We have the team, the capital relationships and the commitment to deliver a hotel that Bloomington 00:21:36.239 --> 00:21:41.751 - will be proud of for generations. We appreciate everything you and the board have done to get this project 00:21:41.751 --> 00:21:46.954 - to this point. And we look forward to the opportunity to finish what we started together. Vince Dora 00:21:46.954 --> 00:21:48.190 - and Russell Lauderback. 00:21:51.330 --> 00:21:58.762 - We released an RFP in April to get to where we are today. We have land, we have a hotelier who developed 00:21:58.762 --> 00:22:06.052 - an outstanding proposal, and in them a hotel partner who wants to build on our land as their preferred 00:22:06.052 --> 00:22:13.342 - site. So with that, I would like to offer a motion on behalf of the board, on behalf of the committee. 00:22:13.342 --> 00:22:19.358 - I move that we accept the unanimous recommendation of the Hotel Evaluation Committee 00:22:19.778 --> 00:22:26.026 - to select Dora Hospitality as the host hotel for the Bloomington Convention Center, to construct a hotel 00:22:26.026 --> 00:22:32.096 - fully consistent with a proposal provided to this CIB on July 8th, 2026, and to work in an integrated 00:22:32.096 --> 00:22:38.285 - fashion with the CIB, the Convention and Visitors Commission, and Visit Bloomington to promote, market, 00:22:38.285 --> 00:22:44.414 - host, and sell conventions in Monroe County and Bloomington, and B, make available those south parcels 00:22:44.414 --> 00:22:47.806 - to be identified and agreed upon for hotel construction, 00:22:48.418 --> 00:22:54.548 - and C, direct Mr. Whitlatch to enter in discussions with Dora Hospitality to identify steps forward 00:22:54.548 --> 00:23:01.046 - toward bringing a definitive agreement for the host hotel to this CIB. I offer that as a motion on behalf 00:23:01.046 --> 00:23:06.993 - of the board. I would point out, I've mentioned them, the evaluation group was CI board members, 00:23:06.993 --> 00:23:13.307 - Jay Baer, Doug Bruce, myself, attorney Jim Whitlatch and controller Jeff Underwood, Jason Larrison and 00:23:13.307 --> 00:23:18.334 - Mary Kripinski of JS Held, Mike Campbell, the Convention and Visitors Commission, 00:23:18.722 --> 00:23:27.059 - Mike McAfee, a visit Bloomington. And it was a unanimous conclusion of this evaluation group to bring 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:35.968 - this motion forward. So I bring that motion forward and it's been seconded. So it's been moved and seconded. 00:23:35.968 --> 00:23:44.878 - Is there discussion? Are there questions? Is there conversation? Mr. Bruce. Thank you, President Blackheart. 00:23:44.878 --> 00:23:47.902 - I have some points I'd like to make. 00:23:49.122 --> 00:23:59.237 - to the committee here, to the board that came out from my notes from the interviews with the hoteliers 00:23:59.237 --> 00:24:10.039 - and in the end with the selected hotelier, Dora Hospitality. So I will try to look through my own handwriting 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:17.502 - and get these to you. So a few things here about the process. So, you know, 00:24:18.114 --> 00:24:27.750 - Upon selection of a hotelier, we submitted this initially at our first RFP to the RDC, and that's been 00:24:27.750 --> 00:24:37.106 - over 18 months ago. Negotiations passed for the Bunger site to no avail of agreement. And the next, 00:24:37.106 --> 00:24:47.678 - we were told the CIB by both the City Council and the Mayor in no uncertain terms would the Bunger site be given 00:24:48.130 --> 00:24:56.779 - to the CIB, but would need to be purchased for at least $7 million. The interlocal agreement calls for 00:24:56.779 --> 00:25:05.175 - the CIB to request transfer of parcels needed for this center and hotel and negotiate in good faith 00:25:05.175 --> 00:25:13.992 - for them. The CIB has tried numerous times. I personally went with President Weichart to the RDC meeting 00:25:13.992 --> 00:25:17.854 - to get the RDC to pause their RFP for 30 days 00:25:18.274 --> 00:25:26.945 - so we can discuss possible parcel swaps or other ideas. Time is of the essence. So the CIB reissued 00:25:26.945 --> 00:25:35.962 - a second RFP, as President Weickart mentioned back in April, for the parcels that the CIB actually owns 00:25:35.962 --> 00:25:44.893 - and selected, again, the same hotelier. And this hotelier, if they started today, this hotel as a host 00:25:44.893 --> 00:25:46.974 - hotel would not be open 00:25:47.458 --> 00:25:56.475 - until sometime in 2029. The hotelier that we selected has spent a great deal of time and money in their 00:25:56.475 --> 00:26:05.318 - RFP submittals and now have stated in our interviews that the South parcels are there and after there 00:26:05.318 --> 00:26:14.594 - I'll say increase scrutiny because they've had two RFPs to look at this is a better and preferred location 00:26:14.594 --> 00:26:17.022 - for their hotel. This hotel 00:26:17.570 --> 00:26:25.223 - has utilized three parcels, which leaves the potential of development for the remaining south parcels. 00:26:25.223 --> 00:26:32.653 - Finally, the interlocal agreement states that the CID is to expand the convention center and select 00:26:32.653 --> 00:26:40.305 - sites for related amenities, i.e. hotel. We have held public hearings and two RFPs for a hotelier, and 00:26:40.305 --> 00:26:46.398 - now have a hotelier with an exciting proposal in architecture, parking, location, 00:26:46.722 --> 00:26:56.644 - and on a site they prefer. Those are my comments, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you. Other comments? 00:26:56.644 --> 00:27:06.855 - Other comments, Mr. Baer? I would just acknowledge that other members of the community, the city council, 00:27:06.855 --> 00:27:13.406 - the mayor and others have suggested that this body submit a request 00:27:13.634 --> 00:27:21.402 - to continue the land swap negotiations as part of the RDC's RFP. While that would possibly make sense 00:27:21.402 --> 00:27:29.169 - in some context, and certainly historical context, at this point, both the CIB at large and certainly 00:27:29.169 --> 00:27:37.013 - our preferred hotelier have suggested that the south parcel is actually a preferred site for the hotel 00:27:37.013 --> 00:27:39.678 - as opposed to the north side site. 00:27:39.810 --> 00:27:45.972 - which sort of invalidates any need from our perspective to do LA Unspoken. As mentioned a couple of 00:27:45.972 --> 00:27:52.134 - times, there's a lot of reasons why it is a superior site. It is connected to the Convention Center 00:27:52.134 --> 00:27:58.358 - on the same street. So guests of the hotel don't have to cross a very, very busy intersection to get 00:27:58.358 --> 00:28:04.705 - to the Convention Center. It's also right next to an existing hotel, which is the courtyard across the 00:28:04.705 --> 00:28:09.758 - street. So there's some hotel contiguity, you know, continuousness in the region. 00:28:10.018 --> 00:28:15.962 - So there are some compelling reasons, and I just reiterate what Mr. Bruce indicated. As you can see 00:28:15.962 --> 00:28:22.025 - from the slides that are playing here in the room, the proposed site plan from Dora Hospitality Group 00:28:22.025 --> 00:28:28.088 - is just the portion of those cell parcels that are closest to the convention center. Obviously, close 00:28:28.088 --> 00:28:34.091 - walking distance is important to convention hotel guests, but it does not take up the entire parcel. 00:28:34.091 --> 00:28:36.350 - So there may, in fact, at some point, 00:28:37.122 --> 00:28:42.861 - be able to do something else with those parcels, convections and related or something else. And I'll 00:28:42.861 --> 00:28:48.770 - just finally say that how much I personally understand and appreciate the enthusiasm of members of this 00:28:48.770 --> 00:28:54.509 - community to preserve or attain affordable housing in this community. We all live in this community. 00:28:54.509 --> 00:29:00.305 - That's why we're on this board. There's a sign in the room right now that says homes, not hotels. But 00:29:00.305 --> 00:29:06.782 - I think that's a false equivalency. Our role is not to solve affordable housing for Bloomington or Monroe County. 00:29:06.882 --> 00:29:13.935 - We certainly believe that affordable housing is a massive priority in this community, but there are 00:29:13.935 --> 00:29:20.989 - many other places and frankly, more appropriate bodies to solve that problem than the CIB. And just 00:29:20.989 --> 00:29:28.254 - speaking personally, I certainly hope that those issues and initiatives are undertaken. Thank you. Any 00:29:28.254 --> 00:29:35.166 - other comments from board members? I just want to thank the DORA group for being willing to pivot 00:29:35.874 --> 00:29:44.950 - and take a look at these south properties and help us discover that they're actually a superior location 00:29:44.950 --> 00:29:53.766 - for our project. So I'm grateful for that. Any other comments from board members? So we have a motion 00:29:53.766 --> 00:30:02.928 - and a second. And Mr. Paris, would you take the roll? Jay Baer? Yes. Jim Silverstein? Yes. Joyce Pauling? 00:30:02.928 --> 00:30:04.830 - Yes. Doug Bruce? Yes. 00:30:05.538 --> 00:30:12.580 - Yes. John Weichert. Yes. So the motion passes. I want to, Mr. Lauderback is with us. Mr. Lauderback, 00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:19.761 - I want to offer you an opportunity, if you'd like, if you care to share any comments, you're certainly 00:30:19.761 --> 00:30:26.942 - welcome to. And if you don't mind, if you'd use a podium where there's a microphone so we can pick you 00:30:26.942 --> 00:30:34.193 - up for recording purposes. I just want to say how appreciative we are that we didn't have to go through 00:30:34.193 --> 00:30:35.518 - this a third time. 00:30:36.194 --> 00:30:42.355 - but we have very appreciative of this. We look forward to it. We will stand by our commitments. We are 00:30:42.355 --> 00:30:48.577 - going to build a sustainable project. We're gonna, we're using Weddle Brothers. We're gonna be at least 00:30:48.577 --> 00:30:54.678 - 70% union. We care very much about the local community. All of us are part of this local community as 00:30:54.678 --> 00:31:00.062 - part of this development team. So we're gonna do our very best, provide you the very best 00:31:00.194 --> 00:31:07.043 - host hotel that we can. And we do like this site very much. And thank you very much for voting for us. 00:31:07.043 --> 00:31:13.759 - Thank you. All right, next item of business is old business. Is there any old business to be brought 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:20.409 - before the board? Any new business to be brought before the board? Comments from board members? Any 00:31:20.409 --> 00:31:25.662 - additional comments that you didn't make otherwise and would care to make now? 00:31:26.914 --> 00:31:32.836 - Comments from the public and we offer the public an opportunity. We have a 10 minute period. Individuals 00:31:32.836 --> 00:31:38.476 - may use up to two minutes to make public comments if they so wish. So if there are any members, any 00:31:38.476 --> 00:31:44.399 - community members present who would like to comment, you're most welcome to. If you are online and would 00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:49.588 - like to comment, if you'll, I guess use that hand emoji and put it up in the air, we'll get 00:31:49.588 --> 00:31:55.397 - to you eventually. So Mr. Green, I see you're first at the microphone. Welcome back. Oh yeah, wouldn't 00:31:55.397 --> 00:31:56.638 - happen any other way. 00:31:57.058 --> 00:32:05.061 - Yeah, so I'm Bryce Green and I'm with Bloomington Homes for All. We've been the organization that's 00:32:05.061 --> 00:32:13.145 - been advocating for the preservation of Seminary Point and more acutely, the land swap deal that was 00:32:13.145 --> 00:32:21.148 - just alluded to by some of the members here. So we see that the CIB has moved forward with choosing 00:32:21.148 --> 00:32:26.750 - the spots just north of Seminary Point as the location for the hotel. 00:32:26.850 --> 00:32:34.287 - It is my hope that even despite maybe the reduced need or the reduced desire for a land swap for a hotelier 00:32:34.287 --> 00:32:41.654 - to build on the College Square site, we still believe that the land swap is still something worth pursuing 00:32:41.654 --> 00:32:48.678 - just because it is one of the only ways that we can see that we'll be able to save the Seminary Point 00:32:48.678 --> 00:32:55.632 - housing from being demolished. And as it has been made public, the value of the properties is not as 00:32:55.632 --> 00:32:56.734 - big of an issue 00:32:56.834 --> 00:33:04.718 - The relative value of the properties is not as big of an issue as it was earlier. And the immense public 00:33:04.718 --> 00:33:12.828 - support for preserving Seminary Point, while it is not the role of this body, I think it is still something 00:33:12.828 --> 00:33:19.886 - that this body has the ability to act on and has, you know, it's my hope that this body will. 00:33:19.886 --> 00:33:26.494 - Thank you. Thank you. You can identify yourself for the record, please. Matthew Joseph. 00:33:27.138 --> 00:33:31.960 - Okay, so I guess the biggest thing right now is what is the plan for Seminary Point? I mean, we're talking 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:36.646 - about people's homes and people's businesses. This is a core question that I think the entire community 00:33:36.646 --> 00:33:37.502 - is thinking about. 00:33:37.570 --> 00:33:42.602 - And so this is a place where business owners and residential tenants are holding on for their lives 00:33:42.602 --> 00:33:47.684 - to some extent until the August 1st deadline. What is the plan for Dale, the owner of Blue Tip, that 00:33:47.684 --> 00:33:52.817 - doesn't have another affordable option in Bloomington as he's been looking for two years for another, 00:33:52.817 --> 00:33:58.050 - anything that's even similarly priced and hasn't found one? What about residential tenants that haven't 00:33:58.050 --> 00:34:03.384 - seemed to find any other option for super affordable rent that's accessible to them other than a seminary 00:34:03.384 --> 00:34:05.246 - point? What's the plan for the land? 00:34:05.922 --> 00:34:11.768 - What do you plan on doing with the Bloomington Homes for All proposal that outlines a plan for Seminary 00:34:11.768 --> 00:34:17.389 - Point that can make the necessary renovations and can maintain the affordability of Seminary Point? 00:34:17.389 --> 00:34:23.178 - What's the plan on what's going to happen with the RDC, who has made legal efforts to communicate that 00:34:23.178 --> 00:34:26.270 - they would like you to hold off on picking a hotelier? 00:34:26.914 --> 00:34:33.001 - I mean, all the signs are saying that they would like to negotiate and in six days from now, we can 00:34:33.001 --> 00:34:39.089 - have a formal negotiation process between the RDC and the CIB for College Square. And this is where 00:34:39.089 --> 00:34:41.950 - those formal negotiation processes can happen. 00:34:42.658 --> 00:34:49.226 - I mean, so the question is like, will you join the community, the advocates, the RDC, the city council, 00:34:49.226 --> 00:34:55.857 - the mayor's office, and our care for maintaining Seminary Point as a home for commercial and residential 00:34:55.857 --> 00:35:02.172 - tenants at an affordable rate? The community is watching and we wanna see what that plan is. And we 00:35:02.172 --> 00:35:08.487 - ask that you engage with the advocates and the necessary bodies to come up with a good plan because 00:35:08.487 --> 00:35:09.182 - that plan, 00:35:09.282 --> 00:35:17.414 - I don't think we want you to sell the land and use it for the Capital Improvement Board, because how 00:35:17.414 --> 00:35:25.788 - does that help with affordable housing? Thank you. Thank you. Hi, I'm Amber Core with Bloomington Homes 00:35:25.788 --> 00:35:34.243 - for All. This first part is for the public record. The CIB needs to submit an RFP to the RDC on building 00:35:34.243 --> 00:35:38.430 - the Convention Center Host Hotel at College Square. 00:35:38.658 --> 00:35:46.097 - That plan should include land swapping, the CIB's own Seminary Point for the city-owned College Square, 00:35:46.097 --> 00:35:53.250 - one for one, currently both publicly indicated to be valued at roughly seven million. Once the city 00:35:53.250 --> 00:36:00.474 - is in possession of Seminary Point, the land should be transferred to Avalon Community Land Trust at 00:36:00.474 --> 00:36:07.198 - no cost for the mission of sustainable, affordable housing. This part is for everyday people. 00:36:07.426 --> 00:36:17.824 - current rent in Bloomington is upwards of $1,600 a month. In order for someone to pay no more than 30% 00:36:17.824 --> 00:36:28.223 - of their income, that means they would need to make $31 an hour. The CIB claims that there will be 500 00:36:28.223 --> 00:36:32.766 - new jobs created from the convention center, 00:36:32.866 --> 00:36:40.867 - Will you be willing to pay these employees $31 an hour? Our homes will be able to house the people at 00:36:40.867 --> 00:36:49.497 - the rate you're willing to pay them. Seminary Point, where there are two historically contributing buildings, 00:36:49.497 --> 00:36:57.890 - were originally built as worker housing, which is the exact kind of housing that Homes for All is fighting 00:36:57.890 --> 00:36:58.910 - to preserve. 00:36:59.074 --> 00:37:05.662 - It's very sad that demolition is scheduled for Seminary Point, another communal neighborhood space to 00:37:05.662 --> 00:37:09.214 - be destroyed on the South Side, just like players pub. 00:37:09.314 --> 00:37:16.472 - rhinos and the original chocolate mousse. The CIB has already maneuvered a potential $7 million land 00:37:16.472 --> 00:37:23.559 - subsidy for the hotel. I'm not sure what more could come from the negotiations. The city should not 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:30.788 - have to pay for additional fees like the underground parking, sky bridge or rooftop or any other fees 00:37:30.788 --> 00:37:35.678 - that should be covered by the hotel. Thank you very much. Thank you. 00:37:41.730 --> 00:37:48.896 - Sarah Wolford. I'm the Housing Solutions Director at Habitat for Humanity. I grew up in Bloomington 00:37:48.896 --> 00:37:56.133 - and I've heard stories of some of you growing up from my parents, Jane St. John and Bob Wolford, and 00:37:56.133 --> 00:38:03.657 - also from my aunts and uncles and grandparents. You are leaders in our community and have made a lasting 00:38:03.657 --> 00:38:05.950 - positive impact on Bloomington. 00:38:06.306 --> 00:38:13.302 - However, I cannot find reason or mercy in your decision to move forward with the demolition of Seminary 00:38:13.302 --> 00:38:20.163 - Point. The CIB has made no formal proposal, although you have reached out. I don't understand why you 00:38:20.163 --> 00:38:27.428 - wouldn't make an official proposal to the RDC for a land swap. Seminary Point could be a beautiful addition 00:38:27.428 --> 00:38:33.886 - to the space around Hopewell and the Convention Center. These are not mutually exclusive ideas. 00:38:34.466 --> 00:38:40.906 - It could be an anchor to the south side of downtown, an area that has already lost so much community 00:38:40.906 --> 00:38:47.537 - space like Player's Pub and should not also have to lose gems like Blue Tip and Friendly Beasts. I work 00:38:47.537 --> 00:38:54.104 - at Habitat and while there, I have to see the horrors that people are facing today and the inexcusable 00:38:54.104 --> 00:39:01.054 - conditions of some of the homes people are living in. The housing crisis cannot afford the loss of 29 units. 00:39:01.218 --> 00:39:10.422 - Inaction and silence are individual choices that have real world consequences. The idea that a conversation 00:39:10.422 --> 00:39:12.638 - would delay constructible 00:39:13.346 --> 00:39:19.817 - The idea that a conversation would delay construction is laughable to anyone in the business. You still 00:39:19.817 --> 00:39:26.164 - have to complete phase two environmentals, go through IDEM approval and bid out the project. You have 00:39:26.164 --> 00:39:32.572 - the opportunity to be a savior of affordable housing while also serving the purpose the CIB was called 00:39:32.572 --> 00:39:38.981 - to do. Having a community space near the convention center is a mutually beneficial situation. I would 00:39:38.981 --> 00:39:40.350 - be interested in what 00:39:40.450 --> 00:39:47.936 - cib plans for the hotel or for the land that the hotel is not taking Thank you. Thank you very much. 00:39:47.936 --> 00:39:55.792 - Appreciate it. Thank you I think this is our last speaker in our 10-minute limit That's 10 minutes listen 00:39:55.792 --> 00:40:03.278 - Yes, hello, my name is audrey smith My first request would be that you extend the 10 minutes so that 00:40:03.278 --> 00:40:08.318 - everyone who came to this meeting is able to give their comments um 00:40:09.058 --> 00:40:15.153 - As you reviewed the proposals that were submitted for the Convention Center Host Hotel, I'm sure you 00:40:15.153 --> 00:40:21.610 - were all considering how each will impact the Bloomington community for years to come. I want to highlight 00:40:21.610 --> 00:40:27.947 - an opportunity you still have, the opportunity to leave not just the best location for convention goers, 00:40:27.947 --> 00:40:34.042 - but an opportunity to secure affordable housing in the process. I know supporting affordable housing 00:40:34.042 --> 00:40:38.206 - is not within your mandate on the CIB. As members of this community, 00:40:38.466 --> 00:40:44.797 - I hope you understand that the lack of affordable housing is a matter that concerns everyone and that 00:40:44.797 --> 00:40:51.190 - many parts of our community must come together to solve. Maintaining affordable housing may not always 00:40:51.190 --> 00:40:57.956 - be the easiest path, but for a little extra work, there is a lot of reward. So many members of our community 00:40:57.956 --> 00:41:04.287 - have rallied around Seminary Point Apartments because of the iconic businesses and organizations that 00:41:04.287 --> 00:41:05.342 - are based there, 00:41:05.570 --> 00:41:13.185 - and because of the desperate need for affordable housing downtown. Members of our community are ready 00:41:13.185 --> 00:41:21.397 - to step in to manage these properties and ensure affordable and vibrant and good neighbors for the Convention 00:41:21.397 --> 00:41:29.012 - Center and Hopewell and a great place to visit. You just have to get the ball rolling with a proposal 00:41:29.012 --> 00:41:34.910 - to the RDC. Then when people look at the Convention Center, the story will be, 00:41:35.202 --> 00:41:42.527 - Did you know that it also saved affordable housing and created additional community space just down 00:41:42.527 --> 00:41:49.851 - the B line? Not conversation about doubts about whether we gained more than we lost in the process. 00:41:49.851 --> 00:41:57.249 - Thank you. Thank you. Well, that concludes our public period for comments. So we move on to the next 00:41:57.249 --> 00:42:04.574 - item on the agenda, which is our next board meeting, which is August 19th, 2026 at 3 PM. We are now 00:42:04.738 --> 00:42:07.710 - You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.