An IU Health Bloomington Hospital spokesperson confirmed the hospital completed the move to its new regional academic health center Sunday.
The City of Bloomington entered a purchase agreement for the old hospital site on West Second Street in 2018, and plans to develop the area into housing, green space, and other uses. Currently, IU Health Bloomington still owns the space. The transfer of ownership won't take place until IU Health has demolished the main building, a spokesperson for the city said.
Alex Crowley is the director of economic and sustainable development for the city. He said a lot of work will need to take place now that the move is done, and once the city has obtained the property.
“There’s infrastructure planning that’s been heavily underway for a while now," he said. "And that work, we’ll be laying down some new streets. We’ll be determining what the utility configurations will look like
He added the move creates a unique opportunity for Bloomington.
“It leaves behind 24 to 25 acres land and that is a huge redevelopment opportunity for the city and will effectively create a brand-new neighborhood.”
The demolition phase of the project is set to begin spring 2022.
