Bloomington City Council members signaled support for the city’s planned transformation of downtown, with several members welcoming the flexibility of implementing the streetscape project in phases over several years.
The Springfield firm Crawford, Murphy & Tilly [CMT] presented its final report to the council on Monday during its regular nonvoting meeting. Last year, the city paid $750,000 last year to the firm to design the plan that includes improved walkability, lighting, expanded public art and significant infrastructure improvements.
Project manager Mike Sewell told the council the final report was compiled based on feedback that came from two public open houses along with input from city staff, business owners and other stakeholders.
He said those who provided feedback chose a hybrid “Goldilocks” model that includes both modern and historic designs.
“We are creating a bold new look for downtown while still being respectful of the historic architecture that’s compatible with all of the other buildings downtown,” Sewell said.
Sewell noted the projected $59 million cost to transform the city’s core includes $20 million for infrastructure upgrades that he said the city eventually will have to plan for with or without a downtown plan. That project is detailed in six phases. The project includes four additional phases in its highway program [U.S. 51 north and south] and its downtown fringe program outside the downtown corridor. Those elements are estimated to cost $18.1 million.
Infrastructure work includes replacing aging sewer and water mains, in particular combined water and sewer lines, and building underground water detention to alleviate flooding concerns.
Ward 3 council member Sheila Montney stressed planned infrastructure made up a substantial portion of the streetscape plan and that should be prioritized over beautification.
“There are a lot of folks who really are looking at those price tag[s] and are struggling,” Montney said.
Ward 5 council member Nick Becker said dividing the streetscape plan into multiple phases may make it easier for the city to absorb the cost, and make cuts if needed.
“Can this step be done more efficiently instead of 12 [million dollars]. Can we do this step with alternate for $8 million because we don’t have $12 million this year as an example,” Becker said.
Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus responded the city council will have that flexibility to adjust the streetscape plan as other needs arise.
“Each of these phases are intertwined but independent, so I think that’s very important,” Tyus said.
City Manager Tim Gleason noted previous downtown plans the city has considered and even adopted were not fully implemented. He believes the current plan has sufficient support and implementing it in phases makes it manageable.
“The fact that we are having this conversation, I firmly believe that we have the resources available to do this,” he told the council.
Tyus said the city will not need to raise taxes to cover the cost, but said the city is exploring several options such as a tax increment financing [TIF] district for downtown. In a TIF, tax proceeds generated from a particular project are funneled back into a designated area for redevelopment.
Gleason said the city council will vote on the streetscape plan at its April 8 meeting. It also will consider a budget amendment to cover a design contract for the first phase of the project — redesigning Main Street from the downtown square to the 600 block of North Main.
Connect Transit
Connect Transit is asking for $1.7 million from the City of Bloomington to cover operating expenses and capital needs for fiscal year 2025, based on a request general manager David Braun presented to the city council on Monday.
The budget request is higher this year because the transit agency waived its capital request of the city last year as it received federal and state grants to cover that cost, Braun explained.
Braun noted Connect Transit is seeking a 7% budget increase this year to $20.1 million. He said the increase was needed to cover increased personnel costs to cover shifts for Connect Flex and Connect Mobility. Connect Flex is an on-demand service that reaches parts of the community not covered by the transit agency’s fixed routes, while Connect Mobility offers direct service for people with disabilities.
He said those services are seeing significant increases in ridership, while use of some fixed routes has been in decline.
“We feel that by reallocating those hours to Mobility for people who need it most and Connect Flex for those areas that are currently underserved, we feel we are doing what’s best for the city and the town” said Braun, adding Connect Transit is exploring expanded service for Connect Flex in other underserved areas of Bloomington-Normal.
The council is expected to approve its annual budget on April 8.
