The Bloomington City Council on Monday approved a reimbursement of just over $450,000 to Connect Transit for architectural and engineering services for the agency's proposed downtown transfer center and parking garage.
City manager Jeff Jurgens said 1,500 people use the Connect Transit transfer center on Front Street every day, and that there is a need for the city to “provide a safer location” for this service.
The council approved the Market Street parking garage as the location for the new transfer center in April of 2023.
Deputy city manager Billy Tyus said “this garage has reached the end of its useful life,” describing how wooden beams had to be “put in to maintain its structural integrity.”
The garage was originally built in the early 1970s, and city officials strongly believe it needs to be replaced whether it’s repurposed by Connect Transit or not.
Tyus said the city thinks that process “becomes less expensive by partnering with” Connect Transit that brings millions in state and federal grant funding to the table for the project.
The council voted 6-1 in favor of the measure with members Sheila Montney, John Danenberger, Cody Hendriks, Mollie Ward, Kent Lee, and Tom Crumpler voting in favor. Ward 2 council member Donna Boelen voted "no," though she did not speak during the discussion period and was unavailable for comment after the meeting. Jenna Kearns and Nick Becker were absent.
The total project is currently estimated to cost around $18 million, but that is for only two levels. City officials and council members also discussed the possibility of adding a third level because the downtown area is in need of additional parking.
That would add to the project’s cost, and Tyus clarified in response to a question from Ward 9 council member Tom Crumpler that any additions to the project would require further council approval.
“The downtown merchants want to see replacement happen on the Market Street site,” added Tyus, in response to a question about business owner approval.
“Absolutely people are supportive of this project,” he continued. “It’s a transformational project… we solve two downtown problems” at once.
“It really will be transformational for our downtown,” agreed Ward 6 council member Cody Hendricks, adding he is “very, very, very in favor of that third level of parking, we need it” due to the needs of surrounding businesses downtown.
There are no current plans to include retail businesses in the new transit center, Tyus said, but it is a possibility down the road.
Demolition for the Market Street structure is anticipated in the spring of 2025, with a fall 2026 anticipated opening for the new transfer center.
As part of its consent agenda, the council also approved funding for a new daycare facility that Jurgens described as a service for which there is “a lot of need in this community,” and more sidewalk repairs.
