Bloomington looking for proposals for hospital building site

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The city of Bloomington is asking real estate developers to submit proposals for the reuse of the Kohr Administration Building on the IU Health Bloomington Hospital campus. The city says it is looking to transform the building into long-term affordable or mixed-income family housing.

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton says the need for affordable housing is imperative.

“By exploring this reuse of the historic Kohr Building, we are planting a flag that this large scale redevelopment must work to welcome people from all walks of life to an inclusive, sustainable neighborhood, expanding affordable and workforce housing in a prime downtown area, convenient to jobs, shopping, parks, and community activities.” 

The city is seeking projects that would accommodate transitional, low income, market rate or unhoused populations and seniors. The city has expressed a desire for at least 15% or more of the total number of residential units offering long-term affordability. 

The city says the project would need to look compatible with the architecture of the existing building, which was recently designated as a historic structure by the Bloomington Common Council.

The Kohr building site will be transferred to the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission with the rest of the hospital complex to be demolished, expect for the parking garage, next year after the hospital transitions to the new IU Health Regional Academic Health Center, which is currently under construction.

Request For Information responses are due by April 2 and prospective developers are able to tour the building on March 12 or 26. Redevelopment recommendations can be found here.