The O’Neil Pool and Park renovation project in west Bloomington will not be ready this spring as the city planned.
City Parks and Recreation Department Director Eric Veal told the Bloomington City Council during Monday’s non-voting meeting that unstable ground at the site cost about three months of construction progress.
The project started in March 2022with the intention of opening this summer. Despite the difficulties, Veal said the builder, Normal-based P.J. Hoerr Inc, will keep the construction within the $13.9 million budget.
“Overtime on this project was also discussed,” Veal said, “but the decision was made that fiscal prudency would supersede minimal time increases. We have worked together across our city team, our contractors, our architects, to make sure this (is) done right, meaning the community will have a new recreational amenity to cherish and last for future generations, just like the original O’Neil pool which lasted 45 years.”
The new aquatic center will include several pools, slides, a lazy river, and a splash pad. A new skate park also is included in the renovation project. While it’s possible some components, such as the splash pad, will be available to the public earlier, the bulk of the project will likely be finished around Aug. 1.
Given that timetable, the pool will not open this year.
ARPA grants
The city is spending a portion of its $13 million in pandemic relief through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) on economic and socioeconomic development.
Also during Monday 's meeting, city economic and community development director Melissa Hon outlined three different categories of grants: for local businesses, affordable housing owners, and nonprofits.
Small businesses within a census tract that includes parts of downtown and areas to the west and south must have been in operation since January 2020 and show bids for the project they wish to complete to receive a grant of up to $45,000. The city has set aside $1.4 million for small businesses.
The city will provide up to $1 million to nonprofit applicants that serve Bloomington residents with income of less than 300% of the federal poverty line.
A nonprofit could be awarded up to two grants of $250,000 each, or three grants of up to $150,000 each.
Grants of up to $45,000 for affordable housing improvements will be awarded to owners to improve single-family or rental properties with low-income residents.
The grants are given on a first-come first-serve basis, with applications starting May 1. The city has application information on its website.
ADA and diversity compliance
Michael Hurt, the city’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, presented two separate initiatives to the council. First, is a plan to streamline compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that guarantees equal access in public accommodations. The plan includes both assessments by the city, and an updated grievance-filing process to identify and correct areas of noncompliance.
Hurt’s second presentation concerned a plan to promote diversity in firms working on projects for the city. The Diversity Procurement Proposal would apply to contracts over $50,000 and set goals that 10% of work hours be performed by minority workers and 2% by women.
Companies can either meet the goals or submit evidence of good faith efforts to do so, Hurt explained.
A need for specific expertise or pricing constraints were given as valid examples of barriers companies may cite.
The proposal’s numbers are seemingly unambitious compared to those of nearby cities like Champaign and Peoria, said city council member Mollie Ward. According to Hurt, the goals are based upon demographics and availability in each community, and should be able to grow with time as companies meet them.
The proposal is expect to come back to the city council next week.
Library expansion
Bloomington Public Library Director Jeanne Hamilton presented an update on the $26 million expansion and renovation of the Bloomington Public Library. Children’s programming and study rooms are being added, as well as a computer lab, recording studio and meeting spaces that expand into a partial third floor. In total, more than 20,000 square feet of additional space is being built.
The project began in April 2022 and is expected to finish on time and within budget later this year. In the meantime, the library is still operating in the space not under construction — about half the building.
Connect Transit
Connect Transit General Manager David Braun provided an annual update to the council. He outlined recent improvements to the city’s public transportation, including an expanded fleet of 12 electric buses, greater coverage of the city’s area, more benefits for drivers, and easier access for people with disabilities.
The burden of new expenses is alleviated by a planned budgetary increase of $150,000 from the city this year, Braun said, as well as projections of increased ridership as COVID concerns wane.
Also in the works is a “microtransit” system that would operate on demand via an app, much like ride-sharing businesses. Braun said more information will be released soon, but the plan is for smaller vehicles to conduct on-demand transit within specific zones and serve as a connection to the regular bus system for longer journeys. In addition to increasing access for residents, Braun said he hopes the microtransit addition can offer an easier barrier of entry for new drivers.
“If somebody comes on board when they’re 19 years old and they’re not quite into trade yet, they’ve chosen not to go to college, this is a career path for somebody. They can go from the microtransit service until they’re 21, they can get their CDL (required for regular bus drivers), and then start using the fixed route bus.”
City Manager Tim Gleason said he plans to discuss Connect Transit’s plans for a downtown transfer center next week. Connect Transit has been studying the Market Street parking garage as a possible location after it determined the former Pantagraph building would be too costly to renovate.
