By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – State Farm executives told Bloomington city leaders Thursday they still intend to seek a demolition permit for the former headquarters in Downtown Bloomington. However, Mayor Tari Renner said the company is also willing to discuss other options.
Renner said he and City Manager Tim Gleason had a productive meeting with State Farm vice presidents.
“They made it very clear that they are continuing to pursue demolition, but they were willing to listen to other possibilities and continue to talk with us, and to have a broader conversation about the future of the building and downtown.,” said the mayor.
Renner declined to provide specifics about various options, saying they need to be fleshed out.
“There’s hope for the building because we’re continuing to talk. That is obviously the city’s goal to try to preserve our cultural historic downtown and perhaps the most important icon in our downtown. We are working on every possible option we can to make that happen,” Renner said.
The mayor said he’s looking for a creative solution in which everyone wins. He said the city is at a critical point in its history.
“People will look on generations from now and say, ‘they made the right choice,”‘ Renner said.
State Farm spokesperson Gina Morss-Fischer issued a statement after Thursday’s meeting.
“We understand there is admiration for, and interest in, the downtown building. As we continue to move forward with the demolition process, we will work with the city and a contractor to minimize any downtown business or traffic disruption.”
City and company leaders met on the eve of a community listening and strategy session in an effort to save the iconic building. City Council member Jenn Carrillo is hosting Friday’s City Hall session at 5:30 p.m.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
