By Vicki Tilton
The recent proposal for redevelopment of two blocks in downtown was bound to be controversial. Let’s face it, anything downtown seems to spark passionate conversation from both sides.
The area involved has set empty, abandoned and undeveloped for an extended period of time now, actually years, and those of us that are financially and emotionally invested in our city center are painfully aware of the negative impact it has on our city. Not the negative impact on downtown but on the community as a whole.
The main artery through our city heading south goes right through these two blocks. Anyone commuting to and from work or traveling through our city is subjected to the blight there each time they pass by. That is only the visual impact.
The jobs created demolishing and rebuilding the block, the jobs created for people to work in the hotel, the stimulation of activities at the Coliseum and the BCPA, the increased activities and flow through existing businesses in our city and the likelihood of new businesses opening in the area will have positive financial and economic impact.
Uptown Normal has done a remarkable job developing the heart of their town, Bloomington needs to get on this pony and deliver to the citizens of our city. The naysayers will be loud and squeaky. I encourage our city council to weigh this opportunity and all of the positive aspects it brings to move forward with the vision our strategic plan for a bustling healthy downtown that will positively impact our city as a whole.
