Bloomington moves to condemn prominent vacant building

The building has many code violations, including infrastructure concerns that could impact surrounding buildings. (Photo courtesy: City of Bloomington/Facebook)

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].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…