Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton has announced plans for a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit to advance several initiatives in the arts, technology and jobs and housing sectors.
The nonprofit, City of Bloomington Capital Improvements, Inc. — or CBCI — will oversee projects that do not involve core municipal services but are “vital" to the city, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
Such projects include the Buskirk-Chumley Theater; the Waldron Arts Center; the Trades District, including The Mill and the planned federal EDA-funded Tech Center; and housing projects in the new downtown Hopewell neighborhood.
Hamilton’s office says city staff has had to oversee and maintain those projects and that doing so has detracted from their ability to complete their regular duties.
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“Over the past several years, these projects have demanded extensive and consistent attention from a variety of city departments and personnel,” reads a memo from the mayor’s office to members of city council. “The level of staff commitment that will be required in these initiatives in coming years is not sustainable in the long term without significant adjustments.”
Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael said CBCI would have a board of directors and employees who would assume management of the projects.
“Of course, some places have management, like the Buskirk-Chumley. We’ll work with them in a way that’s very similar to the relationship we have with them now,” said Carmichael.
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CBCI’s board of directors will have five members and be guided by bylaws and a conflicts of interest policy. The mayor’s office has shared a memo and draft bylaws and conflicts of interest policy with the city council, which can be viewed here.
Carmichael said on Friday that the city had filed paperwork with the state to establish the nonprofit.
The next steps including appointing a board of directors, considering funding options and potential property transfers, obtaining a federal Employer Identification Number and preparing bylaws and a draft 501(c)(3) application and a conflicts of interest policy.
