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Why is Bloomington's downtown still struggling?
By M.K. Guetersloh
mkguetersloh@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- When the city of Bloomington made a commitment to invest $54 million in two major downtown building projects, the hope was they also would revitalize the city's core. | Multimedia & more

Functioning like two anchor tenants at a mall, U.S. Cellular Coliseum and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts have attracted more than 450,000 visitors to downtown in the past year.

But the entertainment venues have done little to help improve the climate along the streets between the two facilities. Storefronts remain vacant, retail struggles, and the area lacks attractions to make it a daytime destination. One developer said it's easier to find lawyers to rent his storefronts than retailers.

There is uncertainty about what the next steps will be, and the City Council's focus on addressing the financial losses at the Coliseum appear to distract it from other downtown problems.

Also looming is uncertainty over how any future improvements will be funded.

The downtown's long-running gravy train -- money collected from a tax increment finance district -- helped generate more than $36.4 million in improvements to the area in the past two decades. But that money is set to dry up in 2009, and few alternative sources have emerged.

As the city considers what it will do about the future of downtown, one thing is clear to Alderman Karen Schmidt.

"Bloomington needs a much more aggressive economic development strategy for downtown," said Schmidt, whose ward includes a large part of downtown. "And it has to happen out of City Hall."

The future needs money

As it ponders downtown's future, the City Council must consider how to pay for it. For the past two decades, Bloomington has relied on its tax increment financing district to generate money for downtown redevelopment. In a TIF district, the revenue generated is put into a special fund for redevelopment, rather than distributed to other taxing bodies.

Since the downtown became a TIF district in 1986, the city has provided $8.9 million in financial help to developers. They in turn have funneled another $27.4 million in private money into the area. The public-private projects have included major downtown renovations as well as small businesses and restaurants.

In recent years, the TIF district has generated about $1 million in annual revenue. That money is currently committed to projects that include the Ensenberger condominium development and rehabbing upper floors of the Castle Theater.

As the 2009 deadline approaches, the city and the Downtown Bloomington Association are in talks with District 87 officials to extend the life of the TIF district. About $700,000 of the expected annual revenue will go to the school district once the TIF expires.

Sales tax help?

"It is not in the best interest of the school district to continue with the TIF district without some kind of compensation," said District 87 Superintendent Bob Nielsen.

An alternative funding source under consideration is to use money from an existing quarter-cent local sales tax, although it's already earmarked for a range of other downtown expenses.

That tax generates about $2.4 million annually, with about $1.6 million set aside to underwrite the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. The remaining $800,000 pays for the Pepsi Ice Center, the Coliseum parking deck and other downtown projects.

When the sales tax was approved in 2000, the City Council suggested $600,000 of the anticipated revenue be set aside for downtown improvements after the TIF district expires.

City Manager Tom Hamilton said whether that happens will be up to the City Council in 2010. And, whether that will be enough to meet downtown needs also is uncertain.

"It depends on how you want to circle the wagons," Hamilton said. "If you look at the 23 projects funded already by the $9 million in TIF funds, it should be enough."

Schmidt also wonders if the city needs another quarter-cent hike.

Coliseum distraction

But aldermen have had few discussions about these issues.

Instead, they have been focused on stopping the financial hemorrhaging at the Coliseum. In its first year, the facility lost $2.5 million and losses in the first two months of this fiscal year are nearing $500,000.

For now, the city has made budget cuts to cover the unexpected expenses.

Mayor Steve Stockton said the much-talked-about idea to build a downtown hotel to increase convention business at the Coliseum has been put on the back burner because the council is simply too busy trying to get a handle on the arena's finances.

But not everything has been side-tracked. Of the four areas the mayor said are key to downtown success -- employment, entertainment, residential and retail -- notable progress has been made in all but the last one.

"We're done on three of them," Stockton said. "We have already paid enough attention to the entertainment venues, don't you think?"

Business plans

But Hamilton said before any decision about retail needs can be made, a marketing study must be done. He said getting a major retailer such as Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel would be a huge coup for downtown, but also one that would come at a price.

"Would the council be willing to underwrite the operating losses for a business' first years in business?" he asked. "That is a very real cost the council will need to consider if they want bring that kind of development to downtown. What is realistic given what has developed here, its employment and its traffic base?"

In the meantime, existing businesses may need to become more self-reliant.

As part of its five-year plan, the Downtown Bloomington Association wants to create a business improvement district to pay for downtown marketing and business recruitment.

Executive Director Peggy Flynn said a business improvement district would include a special fee charged to downtown property owners, but she couldn't predict whether it would be $5, $50 or $500. A similar effort in 2001 went nowhere.

In Galesburg, a special assessment of downtown business owners pays for snow removal and finances renovation grants, said Steve Gerstenberger of the Galesburg Downtown Council. Downtowners are taxed 2.5 percent of the equalized assessed value of their property, so the owner of a $150,000 building pays $1,250.

"At some point, downtown business owners need to manage themselves," Hamilton said. "We are helping them get off the ground by funding the DBA, but at some point they have to do it and be self-sufficient."

More: Watch/listen to multimedia interviews and read more stories.



Downtown dollars



An estimated $36.4 million has been invested in downtown Bloomington redevelopment since a tax increment financing district was created in 1986. The district is set to expire in 2009, and city officials are unsure how the redevelopment revenue will be replaced. See listing

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Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton stood outside the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and reiterated confidence in the city council's willingness to keep development of the business district moving forward., August 1, 2007. (Pantagraph, David Proeber)
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Reader comments on this story - 206 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

nchs junior wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:07 PM:

" I always hate driving downtown, im a new driver, and its a pain, half the roads are closed, and its hard enough to find parking and get through the streets, but blocking off half hte roads is just plain stupid, they should really find a better way to do these prokjects. "

Former Resident wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:01 PM:

" First, don't try to force a downtown in an area with such a low population density. B-N doesn't have enough people to support a downtown. Second, once you achieve a population density bring in movie theaters. Main stream movie theaters will draw more business than a minor league sports team with a bunch of wannabees. Using sports to revitalize an area like B-N makes no sense, only diehards watch minor leagues. Everyone goes to see the big summer/christmas time blockbusters. "

To:I Question These Numbers wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:52 PM:

" You say you question the number? Well the home hockey games were more than 30. With about 2 home games a week, that puts it over 6,000 a week. Some weeks more games. This season the Extreme had over 5,000 for a week. Not including last season for the extreme and all the other entertainment at the Coliseum. Plus ALL the events for the Center for Performing Arts. You people amaze me. Always looking to put negativity out there. If it is so bab, then why do you live here? "

Bars wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:06 PM:

" If there were some more bars and entertainment at night more people would come downtown. "

Ha wrote on Aug 31, 2007 5:36 PM:

" These same people laugh at Uptown Normal, but it's Normal that's laughing at the joke called Downtown Bloomington. It is truly a joke. Take a look at the mayor and draw your conclusions from him. "

Melissa wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:39 PM:

" I lived downtown for a year, and yeah I hated the students. I hated the parking. I have to park 3 blocks away and walk home at 1am. That sucked. The only thing open after 6pm is the bars. Everything else shuts down. They want to attact people, but everything closes except the mexican grocerie store, which became my favorite place because it was in walking distance in the hours I was home. Nothing is there worth going to that is open at normal hours. I work 9-5. I got home, the neighborhood was closed except the bars. "

Todd the Bod wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:01 AM:

" The reason downtown Bloomington is suffering is because it's too close to the ghetto. I'm scared to go down there after 5:00, the gangbangers have taken over on the west side. "

OGS Lighten Up wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:48 PM:

" Let the people have some fun...and they will come. "

Sad Day wrote on Aug 30, 2007 5:03 PM:

" If people want to really know why Bloomington's downtown is failing, look in the mirror. It is people who think they are way smarter and more important than they actually are, voting for politicians who are the same way. In the end, you get people unfit to govern giving those unfit to know what is best what they want, in order to stay elected. It is a case of the blind leading the blind that voted for them through a minefield. If people REALLY want things to get better, elect competent politicians, and leave them alone to do what is best without having to cater to the masses who only see and care about themselves. "

Anonymous wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:11 AM:

" I've been to IKEA. I went because so many of my friends and work associates had raved about it for years. My opinion: it is vastly overrated. It's a great store if you're a college student and your idea of tasteful interior decor is milk crates and metal storage shelves. But if you want furniture with a bit more quality than that, forget it. "

to Ultimate Solution wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:23 PM:

" Somehow, I don't think Ikea is going to come to a one horse, backwater town like BN. "

Ultimate Solution wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:41 PM:

" Get an Ikea in downtown and you'll have plenty of shoppers. Problem solved. "

jwj wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:44 PM:

" I'd like to see the City run the parking patrol one extra hour a week, a different day every week. Late afternoon parking problems are the merchants moving into the spots after the last parking patrol. Shake it up... "

IBE wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:05 AM:

" My friend owns a house 1 block away from the Coliseum. He has had a tremendous amount of problems with the rental properties surronding his house, because of the drug traffic. He has contacted the police, mayor, you name it with little response. If Bloomington got rid of some of its drug problems people just may want to be in that area. "

seamus wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:59 PM:

" Ha Ha Ha said it best. A useless place full of useless people. It should be leveled! Unfortunately I have to go there from time to time. I'm sure I'll go to heaven-for I've done my time in Bloomington. "

To: visitor... wrote on Aug 26, 2007 11:57 AM:

" You are absolutely correct. The bashers of downtown progress are those who rarely see the light of day. Or the light of anything else except their monitors. Folks like JD, the cynics, Fachna, and lil' Jimma Owens can't see the merits in any community effort to bring progress to a place they will never visit. Like most lefties, their idea of utopia is everyone being equally as miserable as them. Sorry guys, I have a life. I'll see the rest of you in Downtown B-Town and Uptown Normal! "

Elizabeth wrote on Aug 26, 2007 9:20 AM:

" I have lived in the Bloomington -Normal....and McLean County is one of the richest county there is....When you put the building up by the police Dept did you actually think people would be willing to go there. The Doowntown area never had anything to offer from jump streetand when people make a big decision like that THEY REALLY NEED TO THINK I left there and it wasjack then and still is look like What Store What shopping come on be for feal it's just a dead little town. "

Downtown visitor wrote on Aug 25, 2007 6:03 PM:

" Just came back from the Hot August Nights festival downtown. It was crowded, but the weather was pleasant. Had a great time going from booth to booth sampling different foods. Hope they do this again next year. By the way, some of the negative comments here must be by people who don't go downtown or are in competition, because it really was quite pleasant down there. Parking was easy, I didn't feel unsafe and the streets were quite clean. There isn't a large variety of shops down there, but there are some unique places and several very nice shops if you know where to look. "

Re: Not a good idea wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:43 AM:

" There couldn't be homeless people on the eastside? Wow "

Not a good idea wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:11 PM:

" It doesn't make sense to me that the Salvation Army is trying to attract all the homeless people to downtown Bloomington with it's new homeless shelter. Having 70 to 80 homeless people wandering through downtown is not going to make people feel safe. At least it will keep them out of the library.... It's time to build a library on the east side. "

Geez wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:03 PM:

" Hop on the BNPTS to get to downtown and hop back on it to go home. Walk a little bit and lose that beer gut. Take a shower and for heaven's sake wear a t-shirt without pit stains. People need to stop relying on their cars and use alternative means to get to their destination. In other countries, cities of this size would have trains and buses continuously running to allow people to get to their destinations without any problems and yet, we are under the delusion in America that to take a train or bus is unpatriotic or our freedom is being taken away. Get with the program people. America isn't that special not everything is going to be handed to you on a silver platter, use your head and make things work for yourselves. "

Chip wrote on Aug 24, 2007 3:03 PM:

" Downtown street parking is considered primary customer parking, because it is most convenient. Every block of parallel street parking, converted into diagonal street parking, can nearly double the primary customer parking. National parking studies indicate these addition primary parking spaces bring new revenues, totaling $1000 per day, to the existing downtown offices, restaurants and retailers. If 100 primary parking spaces can be created on the downtown streets, this will produce an extra $100,000 each day, for the downtown economy. Likewise, every downtown worker that parks their car on the street is costing the downtown economy $1000 per day. This is the main reason the City of Bloomington enforces the time limit for parking on the street. A recent parking survey of downtown Bloomington businesses revealed that most downtown businesses provide employee parking. And for the record, the homeless are not panhandling on every other corner in downtown Bloomington. Dimmits Grove Neighborhood, which borders east downtown, does have the lowest crime rate in Bloomington. Downtown Bloomington does have several quality dining establishments and many longtime retailers. However, they are scattered throughout a 40 block area. The parking garages are free on the weekends, so stop and stay awhile. "

part of the problem wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:39 AM:

" is the students, always walking around thrashing all about, leaving their bottles and cans and droppings all about "

to: to east side dweller wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:57 PM:

" You must be a person that will circle the Walmart till a spot opens up next to the door. Ive been coming to B/N for 30 years and have had no problem going around a block or two to find a spot to walk to my destination downtown. If people cant walk a block or two they dont need to be doing no shopping downtown because when you go to a mall you walk lots more than a block and you hear no compalints about that. People need to get real!!!!! NO LAZY PEOPLE! "

to Ha ha ha wrote on Aug 23, 2007 6:39 PM:

" It's genius attitudes like yours that ensure things don't get done. "

Sox 05 wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:20 PM:

" Note that HA HA HA does not indicate what toilet town they are from. "

nope wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:52 PM:

" I'm glad I don't live there anymore...thank god. "

Ha ha ha wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:21 PM:

" Reading these posts cracks me up. Everyone is blaming someone or some process for Bloomington-Normal struggling. Did anyone of you whiz kids ever think that maybe the towns are struggling because you live in a pathetic city? There is absolutely no reason to visit your town, not one. So accept that you live in an insignificant little settlement, there will be no big economic boom and stop thinking things will change. Sorry folks, they never will. "

this town cracks me up wrote on Aug 23, 2007 2:20 PM:

" So we live in a college town(s) and we complain about students. You want the revenue from drinking and smoking just don't want anyone to do them. This town is so full of crying little babies, it's no wonder nothing gets done. Amazing. "

DS wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:59 PM:

" The landlords downtown have the empty spots so overpriced, the only business's that can afford to go there are attorneys and bars! Many of the empty stores are tiny also. Big rent, tiny store! "

LZZZZ wrote on Aug 23, 2007 9:15 AM:

" Hello, can we please get a Trader Joe's in this flippin' town? "

To: parking isn't perfect wrote on Aug 23, 2007 7:48 AM:

" So, you don't think an increase to 67% is high? I see drug deals going on in broad daylight. Cars get broken into. People are shot at. But this is okay with you? "

leon writes: wrote on Aug 23, 2007 12:24 AM:

" its really very simple , both cities use emenient domain to close down both malls and both walmarts, raze the buildings from those sites and make into parking lots ,make those buisnesses move into the vacant downtown buildings ,now you can jump on the city bus from these distant parking grounds and EVERYONE can shop DOWNTOWN! GOT IT!!! "

I Blame the students wrote on Aug 22, 2007 6:05 PM:

" for the vomit and stupidity problems "

to:east side dweller wrote on Aug 22, 2007 5:54 PM:

" Bingo, you hit the problem on the head, You only come down here to go to the bars. Don't you get it? Business do not stay open later because the bar patrons park in front of the retail businesses starting a 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the parking enforcers stop at 3:30, so the bar patron never has to move their car, and customers never get a chance to park near there desinated store. "

To:Information wrote on Aug 22, 2007 10:28 AM wrote on Aug 22, 2007 5:26 PM:

" Please check your stats and read better. Those are ONLY for the COUNTY not the CITY, which are much higher in every UCR catagory. So maybe if you live in the county. Most people live IN the city around here. "

A former B-N resident wrote on Aug 22, 2007 4:44 PM:

" Another successful turnaround is the U-City Loop area in University City, Missouri (one of the older suburbs of St. Louis). It was decaying and almost beyond salvation until Joe and Linda Williams undertook the renovation of the Tivoli Theater. That was the spark that attracted people to the Loop. Now it's a bustling area with a mix of stores, galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs. It's one of the most popular destinations in the St. Louis area, and all because two people had a vision of what it could become. "

Lack of any real interest wrote on Aug 22, 2007 4:07 PM:

" I remember I ate at a place downtown once, and it was extremely overpriced and the portions were laughably small. I continued to walk around and being completely underwhelmed at the variety of shops. "

Information wrote on Aug 22, 2007 10:28 AM:

" B-N and the entirety of McLean County has a very low crime rate...check it out for yourselves: www.mcleancountyil.gov/Sheriff/AnnualReportCrimeStats.htm "

Well Now wrote on Aug 22, 2007 9:27 AM:

" we could not blame this on the smoking ban could we? Yes let's all pile into the van and let's drive around for three hours to find a spot to park, then make sure you know when you parked or the meter people will write you a ticket. Yes that's it lets go shopping in DT so we can all get tickets. Then we have the stench from the urine, puke and the garbage including cigarette butts everywhere, better get the nose plugs out too. Then we have the old buildings that look like they are ready to fall on there own free will. Then let's talk about what is really in DT, over priced left over garage sale items, drug paraphernalia shop, the local osco alcoholic meeting place where all the bums acquire their booze for the day. Lack of quality dining establishments. best of all being harassed by the local police patrols, for smoking with-in fifteen feet of that building. Then the homeless panhandling on every other corner. Then we have traffic, and the people who do not know how to drive in the first place. What a wonderful DT we have here, not.... Government Muppet. "

Don wrote on Aug 21, 2007 11:45 PM:

" Thats what happens when you let Walmart in and expect everything to be a bargain.Now you have 2 Walmarts and no need for uptown.Because everything is made in China these days anyway.Might as well buy your throw away products at Walmart.Because there is no longer a higher quality substitue awaiting you at the Mom and Pop shops. "

observer wrote on Aug 21, 2007 8:42 PM:

" how about giving all the available downtown to Larry Bielfelt and have him develope it instead of everything east "

Me wrote on Aug 21, 2007 6:49 PM:

" I live in Dimmits Grove which borders east downtown. We have the lowest crime rate in Bloomington according to a recent BPD report. "

Parking isn't perfect... wrote on Aug 21, 2007 6:35 PM:

" ...but the bottom line is if there was 1 thing downtown, or even a combination of several things downtown I was willing to make a trip there for...I'd find a parking space and walk wherever I needed to. People will walk if it's worth their effort. Yes, some people are lazier than others with parking/walking...but ANYONE will put forth the effort to walk if the destination was worth it. I say improve the destination options and address the parking as the need suits the situation. If I was the City, I would not be working on more parking options until I had proof it's really necessary. "

to: Live Past Five wrote on Aug 21, 2007 6:30 PM:

" I don't remember ever seeing a thing about the "Live Past Five" test/trial period/whatever it was. Maybe other did, but I work downtown and didn't even hear about it, so I'm betting many of my co-workers were in the dark too. TO: "Downtown issues": Downtown Bloomington does NOT have a high crime rate! What do you consider a "high" crime rate?! I think you're cruising along believing, and spreading, misinformation. I can't remember the last time I went to work in the morning and saw a chalk outline on the sidewalk, a dried blood splatter on the wall, or saw anyone get pickpocketed. Sorry, but I have no idea where you're getting your information. "

business owners wrote on Aug 21, 2007 1:41 PM:

" pay for staff to have parking permits? are you crazy? at $40/mo per vehicle, that could really run up the cob for alot of businesses! god forbid you have to walk a little further if you park in the 4hour FREE parking at the parking deck! "

Downtown issues wrote on Aug 21, 2007 12:37 PM:

" Well, we have lousy parking, no really good places to shop, expensive restaurants, a really high crime rate, numerous bars, bad traffic flow, accessibility issues...gee why is downtown struggling? "

Sliders wrote on Aug 21, 2007 12:07 PM:

" All I have to say is White Castle... "

quality wrote on Aug 21, 2007 11:50 AM:

" make it pretty and unique! compared to Peoria, our downtown needs a face lift. Less businesses and more variety in restaurants and shops would be good. If there's something good to go to, people will find ways to get there. "

DT Resident wrote on Aug 21, 2007 11:40 AM:

" I understand the frustration about downtown businesses not staying open past 6pm. No one seems to remember that the DBA did have a "Live Past Five" campaign (or something like that) on Thursday nights were businesses stayed open until 7 or later. The problem was, no one came. Businesses stayed open and were empty of shoppers. Whether this was due to poor advertising or lack of interest I don't know but a couple months of empty stores and many businesses stopped staying open. I know Kelly's Bakery and Cafe stays open until 7 on Thursdays AND if you're still there after 7 she doesn't push you out because 9 times out of 10, Kelly (the owner) will be there baking long after they close. This Saturday (2-11pm) is the Taste of Downtown Bloomington. Perfect opportunity to browse downtown business and taste great food. www.downtownbloomington.org. PLUS, parking is FREE in the parking decks. Interesting though that this Taste of Downtown is sponsored by the Panatagraph who donated a ton of money towards it and a week before it is to happen, they publish an article like this. Nice timing Pantagraph. "

What the heck? wrote on Aug 21, 2007 11:15 AM:

" Why are so many of you comparing Bloomington to Chicago, St. Louis, and LA? Are you kidding me???? This is a SMALL city, not a large metropolis. If you want to live in a big city then move to one! "

I blame the students wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:54 AM:

" If you want non-chain, original, small businesses to thrive. I suggest you take steps to limit the superficiality of American youth culture. It's amazing how a culture that prides itself on individuality is so homogenous. "

anthony saluto wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:13 AM:

" parking, you have to read in between the lines, we have 8000 people working downtown. of those, i watch many of the food service people take the best parking spots, there may be hundreds of them doing it between lunch and dinner. then we wonder why there is parking perception problem. owners too. with 20 food service establishments plus, that is a lot of customers parking spots taken up by staff. do you think the malls and strips allow that. they even run and move their cars in the middle of the noon hour. but often they are on from 11-2. they are hanging themselves by letting their staff park so close to the central business area. perception it is, i have stepped it off from our garage on center to main is less steps than it takes me to park and walk into bergners. i have never had trouble parking in 12 years of live work downtown. staff parking rules is a no cost, at once solution. "

A former B-N resident wrote on Aug 21, 2007 9:30 AM:

" Illinois State will be playing against the University of Missouri here in Columbia on September 22. I urge Bloomington city planners to use that opportunity to visit Columbia and see our thriving downtown. Better yet, make arrangements to meet with our city planners and CVB staff to discuss strategies for promoting downtown as a compelling destination. I think many of the things we're doing here would be directly applicable to Bloomington's downtown planners. "

anthony saluto wrote on Aug 21, 2007 8:52 AM:

" to have book bazaar new mellenium, would be like betting 00 comes up on the wheel. inventory, $50 psf, x 10,000 sf, thats 500k, cafe, improvements, store fixtures, signage, security system, computers and registers, etc. maybe 850k would make it happen. without attached parking in low pedestrian distrit who would spend that if you can grab parking too in the middle of best demorgraphic. so anchor parking to the new book bazaar, and it would be a destination for many browsers converting them to buyers takes inventory inspiration. this is the single best thing this city could do for future retail in downtown bloomington. better than a pottery barn, eddie bauer, they may follow. it has to look like planned center i think to capture the attention of professional leasing people. then it could actually explode rather rapidly if coordinated from the outset no different than shoppes at college hills did. then there is the one click factor. with digital readers coming hard and fast, and amazons 1 click, the odds are worse. it needs to treated like an anchor, and they normally do get concessions to make other things happen. "

Candy wrote on Aug 21, 2007 8:05 AM:

" Is downtown Bloomington really a safe place to be after dark? I don't think so. "

tee jay wrote on Aug 21, 2007 6:29 AM:

" appears if you want it to be successfull you need to change its name, lets see "uptown "is taken how about calling it "new york" "

COB wrote on Aug 21, 2007 4:41 AM:

" This is a good discussion on downtown. Although it started out weakly, it is now producing some good thoughts. No name calling and little off-the-point ranting, just constructive thinking and debate. This is very helpful, and the city is listening. "

To: 馬鹿 Aug 20, 8:05 wrote on Aug 20, 2007 9:37 PM: wrote on Aug 20, 2007 11:00 PM:

" You're entitled to your own opinion but it's wrong. I frequently visit local business on Veterans Parkway. They do exist. I very rarely visit chains unless I absolutely have to. I'm more a big city guy anyway. In big cities, they boot out most chains and people typically visit more local restaurants and convenient stores. Have you ever heard of Walmart in Chicago? But I'm being hypocritical because comparing B-N to Chicago is comparing apples to oranges. DT shouldn't rot away but it should be more of a big business district. Bring in corporations to have business there like Verizon, State Farm, and many legal agencies. Not to mention have all of the governmental offices located there and then you don't have to worry. The arena should have been built on the outskirts of town... then it would probably get more business. Oh well I could continue to spout my great ideas but it's not like anything will change with this stubborn city. "

East Side dweller wrote on Aug 20, 2007 10:19 PM:

" I almost never go West of Veterans these days. . . unless its a trip to something specific in Normal or to hit the bars on the weekend. As another poster said, if they want more people in downtown Bloomington, they need to have realistic business hours. Closing up at 4:00/5:00 is just ridiculous unless you are targeting the retiree market. If you want the working people to come shop at your downtown business, 11 - 7 is a more reasonable work schedule. "

Chip wrote on Aug 20, 2007 9:48 PM:

" Downtown Bloomington is almost completely fixed. Ten years ago, the downtown office workers left the downtown each night. After 6 pm, the downtown sidewalks and streets were void of life. It was a real ghost town. Now, people are walking on the downtown sidewalks every night, because of dining, pubs and entertainment destinations. All of the huge vacant downtown buildings are being converted into upscale condos and apartments. Downtown has 50 retailers, including CVS Pharmacy and a hardware store. Most of the downtown retailers, in business for a least five years, are doing fine. More than 8,000 people are working downtown. The downtown restaurants are always busy at lunch. The only problem with downtown Bloomington is the lack of street parking. Every block of parallel street parking, that is converted into diagonal street parking, can nearly double the available parking in front of the stores. The diagonal street parking is more shopper friendly, like the mall parking. Hundreds of spaces can be added this way, without building expensive parking garages. National retailers can be attracted to downtown Bloomington, but more parking will be needed. "

To: 馬鹿 Aug 20, 8:05 wrote on Aug 20, 2007 9:37 PM:

" It sounds as if you are the slave to the chain. You complain about chain stores and then suggest making Veterans the new downtown. If the county government moved out to Veterans, it would be a nightmare, besides what would happen to downtown then? At least the way it is, something constructive is happening downtown, even if it is mostly law offices. "

Ann wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:23 PM:

" When I mentioned pedestrian malls, I was thinking of Church St. in Burlington, Vt. There are plenty of restaurants (many with outdoor seating) and some shops, and they offer music and other entertainment throughout the spring, summer, and fall. I love that place (along with other ped. malls I've visited in the Chicago suburbs) and think it would be a great thing for Bloomington. "

Stay in School .... wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:08 PM:

" Learn to READ the signs ..then you will not be getting a ticket. Learn how to tell TIME ..buy a watch. Alot of people couldn't walk a day in a meter maids shoes. "

Luxury Goods come to BN wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:40 PM wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:07 PM:

" I think this idea is superb. Our motto could be... "big things come in small packages" Visit the ELITE Bloomington Shopping Center today. LA, Chicago, NY EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT. "

馬鹿 wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:05 PM:

" The real problem with B-N are people's attitudes. Instead of crying on the local newspaper website, you people should be flooding letters and protesting in front of the local government's office. I'll be honest, this city is pretty lame and a slave to the chain. However, it is a real nice place to live. People need to realize that B-N is not a big city like Chicago. There is a 120,000-140,000 (My numbers are probably off) people that live in the B-N area. When you offer so many chains, local businesses suffer. Cheaper prices and sometimes better quality goods. Veterans parkway is way more appealing and should be the new DOWNTOWN of Bloomington. This isn't a problem that is easily solved. It will take people with brains in office to actually think outside the box which I don't believe can be done... but you residents of B-N are more than welcome to try since this is America. "

Luxury Goods responds wrote on Aug 20, 2007 7:49 PM:

" Obviously, I am. "

to Ghetto Child wrote on Aug 20, 2007 5:07 PM:

" Your post made me laugh. I think downtown needs some good PR. I agree with another poster that the downtown area has gotten a bad rep when in reality most of the time there is nothing to worry about at all. I wouldn't walk alone at night through downtown, but I also wouldn't walk alone at night through ISU's campus. That's just common sense because random crime can, and does, happen anywhere. Hopefully you made it the block from work to your apartment okay today. ;-) "

buildings wrote on Aug 20, 2007 4:21 PM:

" Some of the historic buildings are better looking that the monstrosities built during the 50-60s attempt to make downtown look more modern, the former National Band building and the one on the SW corner of Washington-East street. Yikes! Especially since they are across from the beautiful downtown State Farm building. Tear them down and make another park. The Wither's park is beautiful and it is being put to good use with their concerts on Wednesdays. "

Name calling wrote on Aug 20, 2007 4:15 PM:

" Call downtown a ghetto and that is exactly what you'll end up with. You'll scare readers away from it, which is the opposite of what anyone wants. I am a McLean Co. native and remember the last heydays. I don't want to see it go downhill anymore than it has. We can't just give up on it and let it get beyond saving. I work with seniors at Phoenix and Lincoln Towers and I think we owe it to ourselves to keep all neighborhoods safe. "

Ghetto Child wrote on Aug 20, 2007 2:27 PM:

" Someone (who is obviously of superior intellect) posted below that downtown Bloomington is "ghetto." Yeah, it's such a dangerous place. I know that every morning and evening when I walk my dog that I feel threatened by the criminally-minded State Farm and Verizon workstaff. I cower as I walk in front of the Coffee Hound because the area is so dangerous. And I seriously doubt there is a place anywhere in the U.S. with a violent crime rate as high as that of the sidewalk in front of Central Station Cafe. In fact, I've scared myself so bad just talking about downtown that I am not walking the one block from work to my apartment tonight when I get off. I had better just stay inside where it's safe. "

new resident wrote on Aug 20, 2007 1:29 PM:

" I write this as a new resident of bloomington coming from a former resident of downtown champaign. Firstly they geared the downtown an alt. to the north prospect area and decided not to directly try and compete with it. In the end you have a totally diff. atmosphere. If you walk downtown cham. there are few stores. However they do have a lot of restaurants, none are chained food. Many of the restarants as one poster stated are eclectic, "art" style feeling than a business district. The term yuppy comes to mind when i think of downtown champ. (i mean that in a good way) the "bars" exist but very upscale bars which are just as much restaurants as they are bars. They are packed everyday for lunch, not by the typical bar dwellers but by businessman and women who want food but don't like fighting the heavy traffic of prospect. Also there are coffee where people can go and sit with their laptops (free wirless Internet throughout downtown). If to attract people, pull them in through food and the shopping will come after, not the other way around. "

RE: Luxury Goods wrote on Aug 20, 2007 12:34 PM:

" I assume you are kidding. "

A former B-N resident wrote on Aug 20, 2007 12:06 PM:

" I've lived in Columbia, Missouri for the past nine years. It's a college town very similar to B-N in many ways. Our downtown is thriving, with dozens of locally-owned shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, nightclubs, and galleries. Part of the success of the downtown district is the proximity to campus, but even more influential is the community's commitment to having a healthy downtown. It makes me want to cry when I see the sad state of once-proud downtown Bloomington (I won't even talk about what's left of downtown Normal!). You've got all the ingredients for a lively urban community, but you seem to worship strip malls and chain stores and restaurants. I urge the city planners to come to Columbia and see what makes our downtown such a great destination. You've got a great thing. Please don't let it collapse on itself! "

To Hamilton wrote on Aug 20, 2007 12:05 PM:

" I agree as long as the city allows urban sprawl on the east side, downtown gets further away from the people who can spend downtown: the coliseum, arts center, restaurants, etc., and you end up with businesses who bring a different crowd: students and others who want to drink at night, and lawyers during the day. I don't know how to attract more condo buyers. My daughter lived in Indianapolis off of Massachusetts Ave. called "the fringe" because it was on the edge of downtown. There were all kinds of little restaurants and shops. What about Lincoln Park in Chicago? What are they doing there? Answers? "

Tip wrote on Aug 20, 2007 11:54 AM:

" Many towns have filled their downtown spaces with antique stores and tea rooms. I have a group of friends who go to these towns several times during the summer. But, when the Bloomington Antique Mall was forced to move because someone else wanted their space, they could not find another affordable spot downtown. "

simple problem wrote on Aug 20, 2007 11:49 AM:

" Stay open and people will come, just that simple. Working people can not possibly get off and make it downtown to shop before 5 pm. We tried to go to the coffee hound to enjoy a cup of coffee and were kicked out after five minutes because they were closing on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Where is the logic in that? Starbucks is open all night and we took our business back there. I love looking in the windows of the shops that are always closed when I am down there and wondering what might be behind the glass. Why not have something other than liquor available when people who actually work for a living are available? "

to Downtown Biz Owner wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:15 AM:

" You said it well. I deal with independent business owners in my work every day. I have found there are two types: Those who are determined to make it and willing to do what it takes. And those who think if they open their doors the world is obligated to beat a path to their door. Fortunatley, the former outnumber the latter or this country would be in sorry shape. "

Another Downtown Biz wrote on Aug 20, 2007 7:26 AM:

" If you are doing something unique and good, the people will find you, yes, but only if you can survive long enough to get the word out. I have been downtown for 3 years in the Old Warehouse District, a block south of the Col. The city has done NOTHING to help. Our neighborhood is perfectly safe, and only one block from the arena, but the city lets it look like a slum. Inadequate street lights. Sunken curb stones. No weed controls. Sidewalks turned to sand. Property owners running erstwhile junk yards without permits. I'm Blue Jay Computers and the 400 Bazaar Antiques store at 400 South Madison. Come on over and I'll give you a tour of what *downtown neglect* from a City Administration looks like! Bring your cameras and record the shame. "

Downtown Biz Owner wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:31 PM:

" Funny how articles focus on the vacant spots and list the businesses that have gone under in downtown. Many areas near Veterans/east side are less than full of exciting shopping. K's Merchandise plaza, Kmart-Office Max strip mall, NEW area by Veterans/Washington that is home to Bronze Frog and Bremer jewelers, College Hills(much less than its Peoria counterpart, some spaces have never been rented and some have already left-Teddy Set Go!) Now another beautiful strip mall is being built next to Fazzolis. How many vacant strip malls can our town handle? how many chains of look alike clothes, shoes and accessories can one have? Isn't it great to have so many choices of microwaved rubber chicken entrees at all our chain restaurants? Many times it is not the location that cause businesses to close but rather the business owner who found out its darn hard work, marketing and promoting is non-stop, maybe their concept or inventory isn't what our shoppers want, and if customer service is bad you might as well lock your door and go home. If you have a good product and exeptional service people will find you and even find a parking spot!!!! "

to: Ann (again) wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:38 PM:

" I'll give you two examples of failed downtown pedestrian malls in IL. Champaign and Oak Park. In both cases the ped-malls failed because the storefronts suffered drops in their traffic counts. Cars weren't driving by, so the businesses were not attracting customers. Both cities then removed their pedestrian malls. When I have a few extra minutes, I'll post some additional cities that have done so. "

To: I'm in favor of a ped mall wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:03 PM:

" Yes, we are reading these. "

Chains wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:28 PM:

" Everyone keeps saying that they want to see these favorite stores of there's in downtown Bloomington and that those will fix the problem. But most of those chains as in major metropolitan areas. And when they do come to cities of this size it is because the city does something like insuring against any operating lose for 1-2 years. So if the store loses money, the city pays. If Bloomington wants to fix it that way, then they need to go out on a limb. I am not saying that is a bad thing, just an observation. And considering that a good number of the current council got elected based on their predecessors' failures, I doubt they are willing to take a risk of failure themselves. "

I'm in favor of trying a ped mall wrote on Aug 19, 2007 7:13 PM:

" (Just wanted to get that up front before I say this next bit) If you Google "successful pedestrian malls", at first glance it appears the stories are all of woe with getting ped malls to work, and I suspect whoever responded to Ann read the blurb from the first story on the page and read no further. However, if you keep reading articles through various pages of Google hits on the topic, you find many success stories as well. It'd certainly be something the city planners should find worth their while to research. It would also behoove them to get input from existing business owners in downtown Bloomington. I hope someone from the city is reading the comments section on these articles because there are some good ideas being bandied around by us people without degrees in urban planning. ;-) "

hire wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:47 PM:

" the rest of the population to work for the city, cause, half is just not getting it. we need more, such as ticket writers. more big brothers to spy on the rest of the population. more garbage trucks to fly up & down the streets. more laws,rules,& fines,inspectors, more,more,more "

THE SAVIOUR OF wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:36 PM:

" ALL BUSINESS IS A MCDONALDS IF YOU BUILD THE GREASY ARCHES THEY WILL COME "

plenty of parking wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:31 PM:

" I don't understand all the comments about parking. I went to school in Champaign and lived downtown (not campustown). They charge 25 cents for 20 minutes there. And they don't have anywhere near the same number of garages that are in Bloomington. But their downtown seems to be doing much better. Why? It isn't the students (again, I'm talking about downtown, not campustown). IT is because they've set up a 4 block area which is very pedestrian friendly, with lots of eclectic restaurants. We can do that here, especially in the blocks surrounding the old courthouse. "

Stormin' Norman wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:18 PM:

" Always got lost in the city, since none of the street signs have block numbers on them. Just quit trying to find anything in Bloomington and stay in Peoria... "

Seems to me wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:52 PM:

" Whatever you ( city fathers ) decide to do about this make sure you pay absolutly no attention to your constituents or taxpayers in general ! What do they know ? Hell those fools didn't want that colisium to start with but you all knew more then they did. So whatever you do just go ahead and run the city like it's your private business and taxpayers are like a minority stock holder but don't ever ask those minority stockholders to bail yer butts out when you get in over your head ! "

Luxury Goods come to BN wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:40 PM:

" NYC has Fifth Ave. Chicago has Oak Street. LA has Rodeo Drive. How about we turn dowtown Bloomington into an ultra-upscale shopping district where rich folks could buy $700 shoes and $1,500 sheets, along with $100,000 watches and $8,000 suits. Wealthy people could fly into CIRA on their private planes and be downtown in 10 minutes. Put a high-rise luxury hotel in downtown just like Chicago has, and this town will be swimming in jobs and money. "

To: To Ann wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:30 PM:

" Can you give specific example of a city in which a pedestrian mall 'flopped' and why, or should we just take your word on that? "

To: Blame wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:20 PM:

" The 'new mall'? Are you referring to College Hills, in NORMAL? "

SO wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:12 PM:

" who issued all the liquor licenses, hmmm? "

Anne wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:54 PM:

" I would like to see! Great places to eat in downtown Bloomington. Uncle Andy's Poof & Smear,Barry's Lux & Bagel, Cousin Fred's marginally organic Food Palace and Old Mother Hubbard's give yourself the Bone. "

blame wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:30 PM:

" City Manager Hamilton should only be pointing his finger at himself. By allowing the sprawl, the new mall, proliferation of uncountable restaurants on Veterans, why would anyone want to go downtown. The owners of most of the buildings have put little to no money into them... there is no parking... and all the tax breaks/benefits going to the big box stores. How are the little guys (who actually run businesses downtown) supposed to make it? "

to Ann wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:25 PM:

" Pedestrian malls were tried in many downtowns in the 1970s and they turned out to be a monumental flop. It was a classic idea of a good idea that didn't work. "

Brenstalka wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:13 PM:

" We have a coliseum? "

Idea wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:10 PM:

" What if we we built this large wooden badger? Ah... Run away, run away! "

Plenty of parking wrote on Aug 19, 2007 3:46 PM:

" Lazy people are the problem. You can always find a spot within two or three blocks of anywhere you want to go downtown, especially in parking garages. However, given the fact that people, in general, are lazy and won't walk more than 50 feet to enter a business, parking probably does need to be addressed if downtown is ever going to improve. Also, any businesses closing at 5 or 6 p.m. deserve to go under. Why not open at 11 a.m. instead of 8 or 9 a.m. and stay open until at least 8 or 9 p.m. If anyone opened a place that was open 24/7 that served breakfast all day, like Mary Ann's in downtown Champaign, they would make a killing off the bar crowd. The bars aren't going anywhere, so why not cater to the people going there? "

Downtown cannot be let go wrote on Aug 19, 2007 3:42 PM:

" Any responsible city government cannot turn it's back on the city center and let the core deteriorate, no matter how relevent people in other parts of the same city think it is. It must be maintained and promoted constantly, and the current downtown is in a heck of a lot better shape that in was 10 years ago. If you think crime is rising in the city now, if the downtown was neglected anymore it would be a much higher rate. It takes money to revitalize any city center, and it doesn't happen overnight. It is a very difficult task, one that requires city employees who are dedicated to it, all year round, such as in Normal right now. The Coliseum and Performing Art Center were good starts, and now it is time for the current council and mayor to continue the job. Mayor Stockton should be the biggest cheerlearder in town for the downtown and all it's amenities, but instead, seems to have stayed neutral like the entire city council. "

Just a thought wrote on Aug 19, 2007 3:36 PM:

" Maybe we should print out the suggestions given here and send them to the city's leaders. They seem to be running out of ideas on how to fix the downtown problem! "

Ann wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:58 PM:

" Bloomington does have several great restaurants and cafes--Michael's, Reality Bites, Kelly's Bakery, The Coffee Hound--but some of these places don't stay open in the evening. Plus the area of downtown Bloomington is too spread out. And as others have mentioned, parking sucks. I would love to see the city make a smaller area of the downtown into a pedestrian mall, with a mix of both local businesses and chain stores (like Barnes & Noble) along with a VARIETY of restaurants for both couples, singles, and families, so everyone would have a reason to go there. "

Also wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:58 PM:

" I agree with the parking comments. The garages are out of the way and too far from the actual downtown area, and the parking tickets are insane. "

to: I can't wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:57 PM:

" You can't just shut down a whole section of a city because people won't go. That's why you attract them. If you shut down that part of the city, you are looking at less people, less supervision, less care, and before you know it you are harboring more and more criminals. I agree with DOWNTOWN, there needs to be more light, more things to do after 4:00 pm, and the area just needs to be more 'people friendly'. Right now it's just kind of a lawyer-esque business district by day and a drunk college kid zone by night. "

HomeLess wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:50 PM:

" Downtown is actually a fun place to eat, have coffee and to live but if you don't know there area you will be turned off by the homeless aimlessly wandering around. "

To idea wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:20 PM:

" Not a bad idea. We could all walk the streets safely at night!!! "

Malls and Wal-Marts wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:16 PM:

" Malls and Wal-Marts are downtowns worst enemies. It is nothing personal against Bloomington. Were it not for the State Capitol complex, downtown Springfield would be a virtual ghost town. "

Downtown? wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:57 PM:

" Where is this mythical place you speak of? I've never seen it, unless you count those dilapidated looking buildings strung together on a few streets. Also - there is NO reason why someone would be advised to bother with shopping there, when everything they need is mostly on Veteran's Avenue. I'm not from here, I don't care about the history, and I don't care about pet projects from bloated city budgets. I'd like to see the city governments of Bloomington/Normal merged, to end repetitive spending on both sides of the towns. THAT would be a good, practical action by elected officers and voters. "

Odie wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:42 PM:

" One way to revitalize the downtown Blm would be to bring in a Walmart store. That would give a lot of people a reason to go downtown. It would also be a convenient place to work for people living near the downtown. Where the coliseum sits now would've been an ideal location. Studies show wherever there is a Walmart, other smaller businesses move into the area to take advantage of the increased traffic. That said, it's doubtful Walmart would be interested in downtown, but I'm confident the city could come up an attractive incentive package. "

Bloomington wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:33 PM:

" The Mayor and Council is not paying attention to the citizens of Bloomington. They do not own the town but they act like it most of the time. It is time to change the management of Bloomington from the City Manager , Parks & Rec Director etc. These people have their own agenda and pensions to protect so why should they care. They have created a divide between the citizens of Bloomington and City Hall. Citizens impute means very little to these people. "

Parking wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:29 PM:

" Parking is an issue, as well as one way streets, which can make it difficult to navigate for some folks. I think having music playing outside on the weekends may be a draw, as well as some type of chain to get people to pay attention. If we can get a "main attraction" and then have other shopping options and entertainment throughout the day, I would think many would come to check it out. I know I am sick of the mall "cookie cutter" environment and shopping that is available there. I know Chicago, St. Louis and LA have many vintage shops and antique stores that draw people. I realize Bloomington is not a big city, but I really do think alot of folks are wanting something different and unique to buy. I know I do. "

New Bloomington Resident wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:19 PM:

" Having moved to Bloomington last year I can list the reasons why I don't go to downtown Bloomington: First a foremost: there is NO parking. It's terrible. Secondly: Too many one way streets that are hard to navigate (maybe I just need practice with this?) Third: Nothing interesting in downtown Bloomington. It's all on Veteran's Parkway: great shops, easy access and free parking. My suggestions: - Increase free parking, especially on weekends. - Fix the sidewalks and turn the palce into a Ped Mall. Incude maps that show the different shops around. - Improve the Bloomington public transportation system so that people have a conveniet alternative to getting to downtown Bloomington. "

John wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:18 PM:

" Duh... lets take the worst place in around and lets try to get people to go there... Great idea! And, IF you find a reason to go there...move your car every 90 minutes.... What was Judy thinking? The place is a dump....... Why would you do that? Oh yeah....not your money.....it was ours.... I'll never go there if I can help it! No show downtown could entice me to change....I'll wait till it's in Peoria... We wonder why drinking is a problem...let's allow some more bars!! Another great idea! What a waste to a once beautiful, historic area.... "

All about Leadership.... wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:03 PM:

" Bloomington has none. Each elected official is concerned with themselves and making their pet projects work. No one takes a unified approach towards improving the city in a holistic manner. As a result, business owners are left wondering if investment is worth it. "

to: Wow! wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:57 PM:

" Any smart business person would want to talk to residents and the people they want to attract to a business to find out what they are thinking. Just because someone does not have a degree (i.e. "piece of paper") in Urban Planning doesn't mean they don't have viable ideas. "

reader wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:51 PM:

" It's known for it's BAR scene ,get it. "

To: Carney wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:32 PM:

" Yeah, but not for long! "

Downtown wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:30 PM:

" Like one of the posters, I've moved to Bloomington after living over 30 years away from IL in a number of other states. The Bloomington downtown needs to have a number of good restaurants, be walking friendly (meaning human sized street lighting), decent parking with good access to the restaurants and other shops, plenty of outdoor seating with lots of greenery for shade, and businesses staying open past 5:00 p.m. Heck, the Coffee Hound in Bloomington closes at 6 while the one in Normal stays open late! Normal has it's tattoo parlors, too many big head burritos, and other tatty businesses patronized by the students but it's light at night and easy to walk. The Normal Theater is a gem. And Medici's is opening in Normal, not downtown Bloomington. Wonder why? "

I can't wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:26 PM:

" understand what the big deal is with the downtowns- why are people so concerned with bringing people to these areas - what would be so bad about some of the downtown stuff moving to where the people are- take for instance Veteran's Parkway- there are many empty small places that the downtown businessess could check in to moving to. The parking is all and all much better in the Veteran's area and obviously there is a much bigger traffic flow. I do not like to see any business go out but maybe they should try to follow where the people are. "

It's in the GHETTO wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:23 PM:

" Thats why. The ghetto runs along three sides of the downtown area and nobody wants to go near it. "

Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:10 PM:

" Festus Haggen: Doc? can I buy a beer with a silver dollar that he earned from shoeing horses. Dr. Galen 'Doc' Adams:Why don't you take that money and invest it in something? Why don't you do that? Festus:Invest it in what? Doc:There's wonderful land values outside of Bloomington. Now why don't you go out there someplace, look around, and buy yourself a lot in UpTown Normal? Miss Kitty:I wouldn't do that Festus. "

William wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:54 AM:

" I told you so. "

Idea... wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:50 AM:

" How bout we all move to Lexington. "

To Mamasan wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:36 AM:

" WHAT???? "

all that wasted money wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:27 AM:

" could have gone toward affordable housing for lower income people (single parents, etc..) "

pitdogg wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:25 AM:

" HEY REAL PROBLEM...... I go out of town to eat because my family is tired of the same old chain restaurants that most of the time have not so good food. Took the family to Outback once explained to the waiter it was our first time there he treated us very well. But when or food came and was all overcooked or just plain wrong he went to get the manager to explain the problem(we didn't ask him to) Can you believe the MANAGER told us all we could go eat somewhere else next time!! Nice way to get repeat business. By the way our family lives on less than 40K a year.... We go to Lexington,Miner and Peoria AND BLOOMINGTON "

Wow! wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:17 AM:

" I wasn't aware that B/N was home to so many Urban Planners and experts on downtown revitalization. "

bertnotorius wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:11 AM:

" Ummm, because all the 'money' is way out on the east side of town? "

Idiotic Name wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:00 AM:

" "Uptown" Normal? Downtown Normal has three blocks of businesses, and four if you count ISU. Normal is trying to change the name of a pig. Bloomington at least seems to be trying to do something than change their name. Seems to me the obvious recommendations are 1) Parking, 2) Family-friendly environment, 3) Clean up the place, 4) Bad traffic patterns, 5) No reason to go there, 6) High taxes for current businesses, 7) Being underwritten takes away business' motivation for success, 8) Bad reputation, 9) City mis-management, 10) Not listening to the customer (citizens). "

bob wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:45 AM:

" Can you say that conservatives rule and they don't want to specutlate.....and conservatives have little or no vision.....where are over the top plannners who the city and resource....I will tell you....they are working for people who really want it....and that sure is not in central Illinois. People here do not have vision. "

in response to "the real problem" wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:34 AM:

" As one of the Eastside Poor myself (yes, there are people who live on the eastside that are not loaded), i know for a fact that Eastsiders spend their money at local businesses.... local businesses on the Eastside! Do you know that it is a 20 minute drive from the far eastside to the heart of downtown Bloomington? That is a long way. Even to Veterans Pkway from the far eastside is a bit of a drive. I say, stop pumping GOVERNMENT money into the downtown, let the free market rule. If any new major retailers come to Bloomington, they will more than likely come to Towanda-Barnes road, and good for them if they do :) Bloomington will be better for it. End the TIF early and get that money BACK INTO BLOOMINGTONS SCHOOLS!!!!! "

it ain't the parking wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:33 AM:

" Parking is not the reason why downtown Bloomington is deserted. Look at the downtowns in suburban Chicago (Oak Park, LaGrange, Hinsdale, Naperville to name a few). They are doing very well, yet parking there is a much bigger hassle than downtown Bloomington. People will tolerate minor parking inconvenience if they have a good reason to come downtown. Right now, such a reason does not exist for most people. "

Gary wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:32 AM:

" Maybe Rod will fly down and solve the problem. "

T wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:14 AM:

" No its just an ex state farmer not working again "

duh wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:06 AM:

" This isn't a very tough question. Downtown Bloomington isn't the nicest area of town (can you say, ghetto?) and there is nothing there to draw people. Parking is inconvienent. The streets are annoying. There is nothing there but bars. Bars tend to only draw people at night. Oh ya, and the Judydome is a giant cluster. Why spend all that money on something and then go and make it as hard to get to as possible? "

Abigail wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:03 AM:

" Why does government *need* to do anything about downtowns? Can elected officials no longer distinguish between fluff and essentials? Government needs to provide infrastructure and basic services. The recent mishap in Minnesota shows the the result of decades of ignoring roads, bridges, dams, and focusing on fluff like downtown renewals. The taxpayer can no longer afford to pay for both. "

Bloomington resident wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:45 AM:

" Parking Parking Parking. Have 1 event in the colliseum and all down town is blocked up. Affects the bars and stores down there. During the day people have to keep moving their cars through the day if they work down town so people don't want to work there. You cant just wander and shop if you go there because you have to keep track of when you parked. That will be a major thorn until you get it fixed. Plus all the "social services" are down there attracting the wrong element to revitalize anything. Anyone that has money would rather go to veterans and not have to worry about getting mugged...specially around the west side of the colliseum. "

Lisa Lloyd wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:02 AM:

" Does it really take a rocket scientist? You shouldn't even have to ask that question. "

Retailers own fault wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:43 AM:

" Take a look at the business hours of most of the retail shops downtown. 9-5 or 9-6 and maybe a Saturday. Most people work from 8-5 so how can they go down there and shop when the shops are closed? I get sick and tired of the retail shops complaining that nobody shops there and to suppport your local businesses. How can we when you are only open when we work? If you want a successful retail business you cannot work a 9-5 job. "

mix mix mix wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:42 AM:

" The only mix downtown is the kind happening in a drink mixer. With the explosion of new residences downtown... Ensenberger building, Paxton building, Castle Theater building... there is no market to buy groceries, no place to eat other than bars at night, no park for kids, no family restaurants.... and what few businesses are left aren't as glitzy, clean, or well managed as mall stores. Mix it up, clean it up, and put some thought into the process, like Normal did. "

Paul Byrom and a blue ox wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:28 AM:

" Why is Bloomington's downtown still struggling? Answer: Because we all live in a fairy tale world. "

to: Mamasan wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:20 AM:

" Thanks for the laugh. Great way to start the day! "

Revitalize wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:10 AM:

" To really revitalize downtown you need to tear down! Many of the buildings in the downtown area are over 100 years old. Major retailers don't like that much, too much to renovate. Here's my plan. Renew the TIF in 2010 we are going to need the money. Retailers and restaurants will be allowed to keep thier current buildings until they close buisiness. Then demolish the old buildings and create open spaces for redevelopment. Use the TIF funds for demolition. Create tax breaks for developers to build in the new areas as they see fit. Maybe then some neat stuff will be in the New Downtown area! "

Parking tickets=problem wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:01 AM: