By WMBD

BLOOMINGTON – A prominent building in downtown Bloomington is facing condemnation by the city.

Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason said the city sent a condemnation notice on Monday to the owner of the Front and Center building, located across from the Law and Justice Center and just a few blocks from the Government Center.

The building has many code violations, including infrastructure concerns that could impact surrounding buildings.

“It’s one we’ve always paid attention to try to assist and possibly turning this into some sort of economic opportunity, given its location in the downtown,” Gleason said. “But when we do get to a point of state of disrepair, then the city has to step in with inspections, code violations, and we’re at that point.”

The city has tried to get the owner to redevelop the vacant building for years, but they have resisted.

“In the six years I’ve been here, I’ve reached out on regular occasions with the property owner just to do a check in, just to see if there’s any opportunity, if not them, get into the hands of someone that do right by the property. We’re probably past that point,” said Gleason.

But despite the challenges, Gleason said he still has some hope for the future of the building.

“Maybe there’s somebody out there that sees the potential in the building. We have not given up on being able to remodel this entirely, but we do know we’re a point that it’s not a likely end result for the property.

The owner has 15 days to respond to the condemnation notice. WMBD has reached out to the building’s property manager for comment.

WMBD can be reached at [email protected].