Top photo, left to right: Corey Crowder, Amal Warsame and Amy Fairgrieve of Normandale’s equity and inclusion team. Bottom photo: Daniel del Toro, co-founder of Unidos MN, front and center, and other Unidos staff and volunteers.

Each year, the Human Rights Commission presents the Omar Bonderud Award to one or more individuals or organizations in recognition of their significant contributions to advancing human rights in Bloomington.

The 2025 recipients are Normandale Community College’s equity and inclusion team and Unidos MN. Normandale was recognized for its ongoing work to create an inclusive campus through equity-minded practices and professional development. Unidos MN was honored for supporting immigrant and underserved communities through education, advocacy and civic engagement.

“Our work supports the college’s goals around equity, completion and campus culture,” said Amy Fairgrieve, equity and inclusion projects coordinator at Normandale. “We believe in the value of education and in our students. When our employees feel a sense of belonging and confidence at work, we can better support our students to succeed.”

Learn more about the award and past recipients at blm.mn/bonderud.

On December 15, the City Council approved Bloomington’s 2026 property tax levy and general fund budget with a 6.96% levy increase. The approved levy is 2.48% lower than the City’s preliminary proposal of a 9.44% increase and below the average preliminary 2026 levy increase for Minnesota cities of 8.7%. To learn more about the 2026 budget, visit blm.mn/budget.

By Mayor Tim Busse

Bloomington continues to grow with new housing options and major investments in school facilities. From affordable senior living to upgraded athletic stadiums, these projects reflect the City’s commitment to community, accessibility and quality of life.

Colonial Market opened on October 16 in South Loop, bringing a hybrid American-Latino supermarket that blends traditional American grocery staples with authentic Latin American foods, baked goods and restaurant offerings along with a liquor store.

The Rosalyn, a 128-unit senior apartment community at American Boulevard West and Lyndale Avenue South, is nearing completion. The project includes units at various affordability levels and ground-level retail.

Ever Apartments, located at 6701 W. 78th St., is also nearing completion with 208 new units, including 19 affordable units and a pad for an approved 11,000-square-foot freestanding daycare to be constructed in the future.

Bloomington Public Schools recently completed new stadiums at Jefferson and Kennedy high schools, replacing the shared Bloomington Stadium. Each campus now features turf fields, seating for 2,500, new lighting, sound systems and concession areas, giving both schools a dedicated home field for the first time. Dedication ceremonies were held in October, following first games
in September.

The stadium projects were supported by $400,000 in community donations and a $400,000 grant from the Minnesota Vikings and NFL Foundation.

For more information about developments in Bloomington, visit blm.mn/dev.