Bloomington City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to reject the County Commissioners' request to rezone land for a new jail.
Commissioners said the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center has exceeded its lifespan and a new facility is needed.
They argued the 90-acre site in southwest Bloomington is ideal because of its proximity to I-69 and Fullerton Pike. The county wants to purchase it for $10.2 million.
Council members objected on several grounds, including inconsistencies with the city’s comprehensive plan and the lack of transportation services in the area.
County commissioner Julie Thomas said it is the city’s responsibility to make the site accessible.
“What will you do about transit? Why are you asking us this question?” Thomas asked the council. “However, rest assured, we will take care of transit if we have to take care of transit. Certainly not saying we won’t do that, I just wonder why the onus is on us.”
Council Vice President Sue Sgambelluri said some of these problems could’ve been avoided if the county had invited the city to join the planning process.
“Wouldn’t at least some of this had been alleviated had the city been involved in the [County Justice Response Committee] from the beginning?” she asked. “I have too many questions and too many concerns to support this rezone.”
Since its petition to rezone the land has been shot down, the county may explore purchasing land already zoned as Mixed-use Institutional.
