BLOOMINGTON — The former IU Health Bloomington Hospital site has sat as a grassy field since the hospital's demolition. The city wants to build hundreds of affordable housing units on the site, but none of them are intended for students first.
"What has been lacking is the local housing for people who live and work in Bloomington," said Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson. "That is my focus."
The site, which was renamed the Hopewell neighborhood, does not have any new housing under construction yet.
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission rejected all of the requests for proposals it received for a portion of the Hopewell site on June 30. Instead, the city selected a developer who will focus on building workforce housing first.
"It's very important for me not to do it quickly, but to do it right," Thomson said. "It should not be all wealthy people who can live within walking distance of our downtown."
Thomson said construction on the housing could start in the next six months.
Becky Markis and Linda Zimmer both live across the street from the former hospital.
"All three of my children were born here," Markis said. "I'm excited to see what's next."
"I've worked at the hospital for 20-something years as a volunteer, then watched it get picked away as it was demolished," Zimmer said.
Both Markis and Zimmer are eager for Bloomington to build more affordable housing, especially if it is in their neighborhood.
"I hope it helps a lot," Markis said. "I hope it helps people who otherwise wouldn't afford purchasing a home an opportunity to do that."
"I don't know if I'll be here when it happens on account of my age, but hopefully it will turn out to be something special," Zimmer said. "It seems slow, but that's how progress is, too. I understand that."
Bloomington has already built a park, Hopewell Commons, for the new neighborhood. Additionally, the Bloomington Police Department hopes to turn an abandoned medical office building in Hopewell into its new headquarters.
-
Indiana University's football field gets new name after $50 million deal
The Indiana Hoosiers football team is entering a new era of optimism after appearing in the College Football Playoff last year. Their new chapter will come with a new name for their home turf.
Sports helping fuel Hamilton County’s economy
The county's sports industry generated over $42 million in economic impact in 2024 and is on track to exceed that amount in 2025.
Warren Central names newly renovated locker room to honor late coach
Larry Willen, who died in 2019, served as a fixture in the Warriors’ athletic program, helping lead all nine of Warren Central’s state football championship teams.
IMPD: Driver dies from crash on the northeast side of Indianapolis
According to police, officers responded to E. 30th Bolton Avenue and N. Bolton Avenue on the report of a crash. Officers at the scene found one vehicle that had struck a tree
