The City of Bloomington has agreed to vacate a one-block portion of Elm Street in front of a former tavern south of downtown, paving the way for a growing local restaurant business to expand.
The city council voted unanimously Monday in favor of a staff recommendation to vacate the roadway between South Main Street and South Center Street, just north of the former Winners Sports Bar & Grill.
Annie and Kenny Clem, operators of Annie’s Eats at 606 N. Clinton St., own all the property adjacent to the Elm Street block, and are exploring the possibility of opening a larger location in hopes of growing their catering business.
“This project is being done by a small local company, mom and pop operation that has invested significant money in buying properties,” said Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus.
The council’s action will allow the Clems to move forward with preliminary design work to see if a redevelopment project is feasible.
“This is a conditional vacation, in that we won’t record the vacation unless the redevelopment project proceeds,” said Development Services Director Kelly Pfeifer.
The market value of the Elm Street property, assessed at about $85,500, would normally be reimbursed to the city.
“It is anticipated, however, that we would wrap that into a redevelopment deal and proposal, which we are working on with the applicant right now,” said Pfeifer. “They do own the property on the north of the side, and essentially they will develop it — they will remove the street and develop it as one parcel.”
Also commonly known as Winners Lounge, the longtime Bloomington establishment at 801 S. Main St. closed in February 2019. The Clems opened the Clinton Street barbecue restaurant in July 2018.
No residents spoke during the required public hearing held at the outset of the meeting, ahead of the council’s vote.
The action was the only piece of regular business during the brisk 15-minute meeting that featured Mayor Dan Brady and council members Micheal Mosley and Mike Straza participating remotely while traveling on city business. Tyus filled in for city manager Jeff Jurgens.
Other business
Actions taken as part of the consent agenda include:
- Increasing the Community Development budget by $1.14 million for approved Community Development Block Grant funding for addressing lead-based paint hazards;
- Authorizing a two-year contract with All City Management Services for crossing guard services through June 2027 in the amount of $281,350, as well as an option for three additional years for a possible total of $733,450;
- Accepting $500,000 in Home Repair and Accessibility Program funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority;
- Agreeing to a $323,000 contract with Union Roofing to replace the Lincoln Leisure Center roof;
- Approving a $250,000 contract with Otto Baum Company for T-beam repairs at the police department garage;
- Spending $228,000 to purchase a new Caterpillar backhoe for the Public Works Department, along with authorizing a trade-in of a 2013 model for a $27,500 credit;
- Allowing the Illinois State club hockey team to rent locker room space at the Bloomington Ice Center; and
- Approving various types of liquor licenses for the Bloomington Ice Center, Fiesta Ranchera on IAA Drive, 8 Bit II Arcade at 217 W. Jefferson St.; and Casper Brewing Company on Ballybunion Road.
Former city council member Diana Hauman was the only person to speak during public comments, providing details on the McLean County League of Women Voters’ study of the county’s two separate organizations overseeing elections.
Also, Tyus said the downtown “streetscape” has started in earnest, and the city has received permission to use the lot next to the former Grand Café restaurant for public parking.
