By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON- Bloomington’s new city manager made it clear last month that he really likes the idea of partnering with the private sector to convert the century-old former Bloomington High School into affordable housing for seniors.
City Manager Tim Gleason is presenting to the city council Monday night a proposal to use public money to help pay rent for some of the tenants who would live there.
Gleason told aldermen last month he considered the council’s decision creating a tax increment financing district a “home run” for the blighted area on East Washington Street.
Gleason said it’s common for municipalities to be “saddled” with old school buildings and churches.
“The opportunity that you guys acted on with this $17 million (private) investment, that’s a huge win, I believe, for the community,” Gleason said at the August 22 city council meeting.
The city would pay $228,720 over ten years to Iceberg Development Group for four of the apartments.
Applicants for rental assistance would have to be 55 years or older, meet certain income guidelines with priority given to military veterans.
Also on the agenda, the city council will consider selling 3.34 acres of Sunnyside Park to the local Boys and Girls Club for only $1.00. The organization wants to build a multi-million dollar clubhouse at the west side park.
Aldermen were enthusiastic about the idea during a meeting in May.The Boys and Girls Club is trying to raise approximately $12 million from private donations and grants for a 50,000 square foot clubhouse, which is about three times larger than the current building on West Illinois Street.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
