Aldermen finalize Grossinger downtown arena deal

Posted on June 26, 2017
Grossinger Motors in Normal has purchased the naming rights for the arena in Downtown Bloomington. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen unanimously support awarding arena naming rights to a local car dealership.

The city council approved the agreement that changes the Coliseum’s name to Grossinger Motors Arena.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Patti’s interview with Bloomington assistant city manager Steve Rasmussen on WJBC.

The dealership pays $175,000 annually for the first five years, which is what U.S. Cellular had been paying before its 10-year contract expired. City Attorney Jeff Jurgens told the council Monday night the city can renegotiate for a higher fee depending how much business the city-owned arena is bringing in.

“We do have some renegotiating power,” said Jurgens.

“I think everybody’s hope is to get the brand of the arena up. If it’s worth more in that second five years, we would have the ability to negotiate a little bit more for those naming rights,” Jurgens also said.

Grossinger can opt out of the contract in five-years. Lynn Cannon, executive director for VenuWorks, the management firm running the arena, said partnering with a local business is a big plus for the re-branding of the arena.

Grossinger Motors is located at 1430 Fort Jesse Rd. in Normal.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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