By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – City aldermen have taken control of the Downtown Bloomington Association, hoping an infusion of city dollars will speed-up a long, sought-after renaissance for the downtown.

The privately-run non-for-profit group has received $90,000 a year from city government since 2011.

Now, as part of the city’s Community Development Department, the new Downtown Development Division would receive an annual increase of about $182,000.

The council’s vote was five-to-two, with Aldermen David Sage and Mboka Mwilambwe voting no.

Sage said with multi-million dollar budget deficits on the horizon, this is not the time for a significant financial commitment, while Mwilambwe said the council had not explored other options.

“It feels like we came up with a solution, and we just went for it rather than looking at what are all of the other possibilities,” Mwilambwe said.

Council woman Diana Hauman voted yes, saying a “thriving downtown will help our economy and our economic growth.”

Long-time downtown business owner Vicki Tilton said lack of vision and support from city leaders slowed downtown development, but she said that has changed.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]