Bloomington unveils master plan for hospital site
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The city of Bloomington has published its master plan report for the future of the current Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital site. The city plans to redevelop the site, which is set to be vacated after the nearly $400 million IU Health Regional Academic Center, which will house the new hospital, opens later this year.
As part of the plan, the city says it looks to strengthen downtown Bloomington with jobs and affordable housing, as well as pursue additional community goals for sustainability, equity and inclusion.
Some of the plan’s elements include a variety of housing types, including “significant development” of affordable and workforce housing, connection with adjacent neighborhoods to break up the existing “mega-block,” green space, and environmentally-friendly considerations for stormwater management, hardscape and planting, and other infrastructure.
“The chance to redevelop this key site in downtown Bloomington is a once-in-a-century opportunity for our community to re-imagine our future, to pursue affordable housing, economic vitality, sustainability, and quality of life,” Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said in a news release. “We’re very grateful for all the residents who are engaging in this process to help make Bloomington better.”
IU Health Bloomington Hospital plans to vacate the property in the later part of the year when the Academic Health Center opens. The city says IU Health will begin demolishing the old hospital building once the relocation is complete.
The plan report will be presented to the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday. You can view the full report by clicking here.