Bloomington’s Redevelopment Commission is moving the ball forward on two projects in need of action.
The commission on Monday unanimously approved Dora Hospitality’s request to spend up to $100,000 of city funds to examine the former Bunger Robertson property north of the current convention center to determine if it is the ideal location for a future hotel.
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Russ Louderback of Dora, who has directed hotel development in Indianapolis and Bloomington, said unknown challenges can be hiding beneath the property.
“Worst thing you can hit is rock or water, and I seem to hit both of them every time I develop a hotel,” Louderback said. “We understand there’s going to be rock here, but we’d like to understand the length of it. We’d also like to begin negotiations with an architect.”
He expects the property analysis to take between 30 and 60 days to complete.
The commission retains control over the property for now.
Read more: Convention Center expansion picking up steam
The commission also unanimously approved spending for repairs to the south wall at the Mill. The decades-old wall in the co-working and innovation facility has shifted and is at risk of falling apart.
Umphress Masonry will be allowed to spend up to $500,000 of city funds to make permanent repairs to the wall. Public Works facility director J.D. Boruff said the wall should be stable for decades after it is repaired.
“The project will take approximately 12 weeks,” Boruff said. “Unfortunately, the event space at the Mill won’t be usable during that period of time.”
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The temporary stabilization of the wall was also approved by the commission Monday. That could cost up to $100,000.
It’s unclear what led to the wall shifting position. Boruff guessed that remodel efforts years ago may have affected the wall. While he isn’t concerned about any other walls at this time, Boruff said workers will evaluate the whole building.
He estimated the Mill will lose around $50,000 in revenue due to the event space closure. No other spaces are expected to be temporarily closed.