How is the City gathering input from stakeholders and the general public during this master planning process?

The City has conducted one-on-one interviews and small group engagement sessions with a variety of stakeholders representing diverse interests and expertise, including business, arts, environment and sustainability, healthcare and human services, development, education, neighborhoods, and government. On the Resources page of the project website you can find a list of the organizations and individuals who were contacted to participate in the one-on-one interviews and small group engagement sessions. The City is also requesting participation and input from the public at a series of four forums (listed below), and via an online survey and an open submission form available on the project website. Individuals who are not able to use the online platform can provide input by emailing or calling the City’s Project Manager at boatmank@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3406.

Public Forum 1 – Project Introduction - held June 16, 2020

Public Forum 2 – Design Options Presentation - Design Options Presentation - held August 6, 2020

Public Forum 3 – Refined Plan Presentation - held October 6th, 2020

Public Forum 4 – Draft Master Plan Presentation - November 18, 2020

Are neighborhoods involved in this process?

The City of Bloomington has engaged in dialogue with neighborhoods near the site since the early stages of the 2018 Urban Land Institute Study, and has continued that dialogue during this current master planning process. The City has included neighborhood representatives in one-on-one interviews and small group meetings. In addition, neighbors are invited to share feedback and submit questions through the project website, public forums, and via the online survey. We plan to attend neighborhood meetings and do outreach on or near the site as the master planning process moves forward.

Will there be an opportunity for in-person dialogue about the proposed master plan?

We hope to provide opportunities for in-person input at future public forums when conditions allow gatherings to occur safely. The City is committed to ensuring robust public engagement throughout this master planning process. During the COVID-19 closure/shutdown period (April-June) the consultant successfully conducted numerous virtual stakeholder interviews and listening sessions. The virtual town halls (Public Forum 1 and 2) held on June 16th and August 6^th attracted over 300 participants. We are exploring other interactive virtual strategies to deepen the engagement experience in future forums.

How can I get on the list to receive future updates?

Please fill out the online survey on the project website and indicate in the survey that you would like to receive updates. Alternatively, you can request to be added to the list by submitting your contact information in the open submission form located on the Get Involved page of the website.

If I want to participate in a public forum what should I do?

As the date for the public forum approaches, check the website, social media, and the newspaper for details on how to participate. For virtual forums, we will publicize a link where you can register to participate in the forum via Zoom (it's free!). If you do not want to participate via Zoom, you can watch a livestream of the public forum on the City’s Facebook page.

Are the public forums recorded and posted online for later viewing?

The public forums are recorded and those recordings along with all slides presented during the forums are accessible on the Resources page of the project website at https://bloomingtonhospitalsite.com/resources/.  In addition, you can access the recorded forums on the City’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Will the buildings on the site be reused?

Demolition and site remediation of the large parcel that contains the main hospital building is a condition of the purchase agreement that was executed between the City and IU Health with the hospital parking garage and the Kohr Adminstration Building being the only exceptions to that condition, if the City requests that those remain. The City has determined that the parking garage will be kept. The City is evaluating the Kohr Administration for potential reuse or removal and will make a decision on that later this year. Other peripheral properties that the City is acquiring from the hospital are being conveyed “as is.” The City is responsible for demolition or reuse of any structures on those parcels and will make those determinations after the master planning process is complete.

Will affordable/workforce housing be incorporated in the plan?

While decisions about housing types for the site are yet to be determined, the City recognizes the importance of an inclusive community and is committed to providing housing that is accessible to a range of income levels. The City’s housing strategies are incorporated in the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and the 2020 Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which include goals, policies and programs for enhancing affordable housing supply. Those strategies will be consulted as we consider types of housing for the Bloomington Hospital site. Mayor Hamilton is a proponent of affordable/workforce housing on this site and will continue to listen to public input about the right mix of housing for this site throughout the master planning process.

Is the area going to be rezoned?

The hospital site and the surrounding area is currently zoned mixed use healthcare (MH). As part of the master planning process the consultant will make recommendations on the appropriate zoning for this area. While the City is acquiring 24 acres, the total mixed use healthcare (MH) zoned area is 76 acres. The City is going through the Unified Development Ordinance zoning mapping stage right now, and that zoning map will be informed by the recommendations of this master planning process. The zoning map should be ready for City Council approval in early 2021.

Is climate change being considered in the planning of the site?

The public realm provides a great opportunity to make a visible innovation around sustainable infrastructure. Sustainability strategies are included in the consultant’s scope of work for the master plan. The consulting team will use regenerative thinking about the land, about ecology, about health and wellbeing, and look beyond the lifespan of this study to understand the larger impacts it will have on the health and wellbeing of future generations.

Will there be a master developer?

The City does not envision a master developer being used for this redevelopment project. The City is willing to consider the possibility of multiple developers, large and small, constructing different elements of the master plan for this site.

Are designs available for the public to review?

Yes, proposed designs are contained in the Public Forum slide presentations that are on the Resources page of this website.

Is it too late to submit comments?

Your input is welcome at all stages of the Master Planning Process. Please visit the Get Involved page of this website for information on how to submit comments.

When will redevelopment of the site happen?

IU Health will be moving from the current hospital to their new site on SR 45/46 in late 2021. At that point the current hospital will need to be demolished and the area remediated before transfer of that property to the City can occur. It is likely that the demolition and remediation work will take through 2022 to complete. The master plan, and then community and developer interest, will determine how fast the site redevelops from there. It's likely that the site will redevelop in phases over the course of the next 10 years or more, based on market conditions. There are some peripheral properties being acquired by the City from the hospital that may be available prior to the hospital’s 2021 moving date and those properties could follow a slightly different timeline for redevelopment.