Bloomington is a popular destination to live, work, shop, play and raise a family. As the city grows and evolves, Bloomington needs to continue making investments in community amenities that bring residents together and enhance their quality of life.
After more than two years of gathering input from community members, the City developed a long-term investment plan, Bloomington Forward, that would support three major community projects for better health, wellness, athletics, recreation and improved natural areas. On Tuesday, November 7, Bloomington voters will consider a half-percent local option sales tax to finance $159 million in bonds to pay for the three projects. They include:
Creekside Community Center and Public Health building replacement
Need: These obsolete buildings do not meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Benefits: Combining them into a new community health and wellness center would provide a more effective environment to deliver vital health, fitness and recreational services as well as social activities. The new facility would be located where Creekside is now at 9801 Penn Avenue South.
Cost: $101.8 million. (The City has already received approval of $1.8 million from the State of Minnesota for predesign work.)
Bloomington Ice Garden upgrade
Need: This popular facility needs modernization and major updates to mechanical systems, including refrigeration for all three ice sheets.
Benefits: The upgrade would improve guest experience and make it possible to continue ice rental and hosting dozens of tournaments and figure skating events annually.
Cost: $37.27 million. (The City has already received approval of $2.27 million from the State of Minnesota for
predesign work.)
Nine Mile Creek corridor renewal
Need: The Nine Mile Creek corridor is vulnerable. If approved, the sales tax would provide critical investments to enhance and preserve the corridor by restoring riverbanks, wetlands and wooded areas, protecting habitat, and removing invasive species. Other improvements would include outdoor recreation amenities, such as the outdoor gathering space at Moir Park, and
improved accessibility.
Benefits: Any investment to enhance trail access needs to be balanced with the commitment to preserve the corridor and protect the safety and enjoyment of all users. If funding is approved by voters in November, residents would be engaged to help determine the exact improvements for the corridor.
Cost: $20 million.
For more information, visit bloomingtonforward.org.
