WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Bloomington City Council will take up two, multi-million dollar bonding initiatives tonight. A ten million dollar bond would fund parks projects. Another $29.5 million bond would build two new parking garages in Bloomington’s downtown.
The proposed parks bond would fund more than seven miles of new trails, and 1,400 new trees. It would also pay for the creation of six community gateways, and proposed enhancements for three alleys near Bloomington’s Courthouse Square.
Controller Jeff Underwood told the council last week the 20-year commitment would be paid for through a property tax increase.
In last week’s Bloomington City Council meeting, member Isabel Piedmont Smith voted against the proposed parks bond in a straw poll. She said bonding ten million dollars worth of parks projects is “not a responsible way to govern.” She said the parks projects don’t meet some essential needs of the community, like addressing homelessness or the opioid crisis.
In the same meeting, Council members Allison Chopra and Dorothy Granger echoed Piedmont Smith’s concerns. Council member Granger also noted the city already includes tree plantings in its budget. Council member Susan Sandberg, Dave Rollo and Chris Sturbaum are likely to vote in favor of the parks bond tonight, having voiced their support during last week’s straw poll.
Bloomington City Council meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Showers Building at 401 North Morton Street.
