Bloomington City Council gives go ahead for senior housing

The vacant high school will be transformed into affordable housing for seniors.(WJBC File Photo)

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON– The old Bloomington High School on East Washington Street will no longer be vacant as it will become affordable housing for seniors.

The Bloomington City Council voted Monday night to partner with the private sector Iceberg Development Group to undergo the project. The city will use public money to help pay rent on four of the approximately 57 affordable senior housing units according to city Economic Development Coordinator Austin Grammar.

Iceberg’s total investment in the property is around 17 million dollars, as the city will pay almost 229-thousand dollars over ten years to the development group.

The affordable housing units will be available to those 55 years or older, those who meet certain income requirements and priority will be given to military veterans.

Also on the agenda, the city council approved a one dollar sale to the Boys and Girls Club which includes just under three-and-a-half acres of Sunnyside Park.

The local group will build a multi-million dollar clubhouse on the west side of the park, as funding for the project has come from private donations and grants. The new facility is estimated to be three times larger than the current building on West Illinois Street.

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