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Multi Sport Complex Project Vetting Grinds On

Girls celebrating on soccer field
Photo courtesy of Fusion Soccer Club
Soccer would be just one of several sports to be included in a potential multi sport complex in the twin cities.

Time continues to tick in a three month window to determine how or whether to proceed with a proposed multi sport complex in Bloomington Normal. That's how long, Mayor Chris Koos said last month would be the limit to decide.

Speaking on GLT's Sound Ideas Tuesday, Koos said the Town has now met with a private developer.

"It was really at a high level, get to know them - they get to know us. So, no details came out of that. But, they are very interested in the project," said Koos.

Koos would not name the development group. He said he now thinks the town will be in a “decision mode” for the project in 90 to 120 days.

Koos has acknowledged in the past that the potential $44 million dollar price tag would be a difficult lift for both Bloomington and Normal and would require a public private partnership.
 

A group that includes developer Katie Kim and landowner Dave Start have made presentations to public officials over the last two years.

Area youtth soccer organizations have also begun fundraising to either participate in such a project or to be able to buy their own land for development as soccer fields, once existing fields near the Central Illinois Regional Airport become unavailable.

Plans for the new trail side east project in uptown normal are taking longer than expected. But, Mayor Koos said staff are now reviewing plans for the multi use commercial building in Uptown.

"Working with projected tenants on what their space needs to look like and how it functions. You always get the lawyers involved in redevelopment agreements and there is tit for tat and back and forth on that," said Koos.

Last spring town leaders anticipated making plans public in June. Koos said Tuesaday developers will likely present plans to the town council in September.

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WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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