Carrillo plans strategy session focused on State Farm’s downtown building

Posted on July 23, 2019
State Farm
State Farm’s downtown Bloomington building served as the insurance company’s corporate headquarters until 1974. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council member Jenn Carrillo wants to hear from members of the community after State Farm announced it plans to knock down its former downtown building.

Carrillo has scheduled a listening and strategy session for August 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The session will be held at city hall and is open to the public.

“We got some big news last week from State Farm, so I’m interested in making space for residents and community members to come together and share their opinions on how we move forward in light of this news,” said Carrillo at Monday night’s council meeting.

Council member Donna Boelen said she’s unsure much can be done since the city doesn’t own the property.

“The State Farm building is private property and the city can talk with them and help to an extent, but if they want to demolish it I suppose the only thing to do would be not to give them a permit,” she said.

Mayor Tari Renner said the city has a few different options, but those would be more thoroughly discussed in the coming weeks.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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