By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Key members of a task force looking to speed up Downtown Bloomington’s resurgence are promoting the idea of building a new public library where a city parking garage is located at Market and Monroe Streets. However, a majority of city aldermen and the Bloomington Public Library Board seem to favor library expansion at its current Olive Street location.

Task force chairwoman and city council member Amelia Buragas was the only decision-maker speaking out against the idea of the library staying put at a council-library board work session in June.

Buragas and Bloomington Planning Commissioner Justin Boyd tell WJBC’s Sam Wood a catalyst project like a new library will make the largest impact in the shortest amount of time.

Buragas noted the parking garage has passed its useful lifespan, and there are fewer barriers for development because the city owns the property.

“There’s no acquisition cost. It would not require us to take the property that’s currently generating tax revenue and taking off the tax rolls,” said Alderwoman Buragas.

“So there’s a reason that is appealing as well as the fact that it’s an entire city block. And, in terms of impact, that would have a significant impact in transforming not just that northwest corner of the core of downtown, but the entire downtown area,” Buragas added.

Buragas said the library attracts a thousand people a day, which is likely to stimulate economic activity for businesses near the library.

The task force is also considering a Connect Transit bus transfer station at the Market and Monroe location, replacing the existing downtown transfer station on Front Street, north of the Law and Justice Center.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]