The new expansion will be completed by early January, 2027 followed by completion of the renovation of the current building by early July, 2027.

Yes.

The Capital Improvements Board (CIB) is responsible for overseeing construction, and will be responsible for the operations and management of the convention center after construction is completed.

CIB members.

The expansion will more than double the capacity, from 250 to up to 600 attendees. 

In addition, the large flexible exhibit space will permit 4 basketball courts or 6 volleyball courts for tournament type events, sit down dinners for up to 1,400, and concerts and lectures for almost 3,000.

The expansion will also add three more separate meeting rooms to those currently available.

The total combined space after the expansion is complete will increase from 40,000 to 100,000 sq ft. 

The space will be available for public and private conventions and conferences, dinner events, sports tournaments, concerts, and meetings and lectures.

A skywalk bridge will be constructed over College Avenue connecting the two buildings to create one large convention center.

The design includes an outdoor green garden area that can accommodate as many as 100 people in the space.

There is also a green roof in the design and the plaza will remain in the renovation of the current building.

Yes.

The new facility will have a green roof and a green garden space, all systems are entirely electric, and it has been designed and constructed to be solar panel-ready.

The project is on target to successfully achieve LEED Silver certification.   

The $52 million construction budget includes 1% for the arts ($520,000) and a Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) advisory group has been formed to develop a plan for artist selection. 

In addition the CIB is committed to promoting the BEAD as one of only 11 cultural districts in the state of Indiana as part of attracting new and larger conventions to Bloomington.

The most recent market analysis projected $9 million annually in new revenue to our community spent in local hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries. 

In addition it is estimated another $13-$18 million generated in support businesses, increased revenues from Food and Beverage and Innkeepers taxes, and new hospitality-related job creation. 

A new full-service, 200 room host hotel is planned for the area adjacent to the convention center.

Other local hotels will benefit from the expansion as well, since the host hotel will not be able to fully accommodate all visitors.

There are approximately 750 surface and garage parking spaces adjacent to the expansion.

In addition there are three downtown parking garages and four surface parking lots nearby. 

Shuttle services are anticipated for moving convention attendees among hotels and parking.

There is a published schedule for “movement of traffic” plans.

Lane closures and some sidewalk diversion on Walnut, College, and 3rd Street will be necessitated, and plans to do so safely are in effect.

The two primary parcels for the expansion located east across from the current building and bordered by Walnut on the east, College on the west, and 3rd Street on the north were owned by the county and transferred to the city for construction revenue bonding purposes.

No. The former NAPA building which had been used for early voting was razed for the project and the county will provide another space for early voting before the 2026 primary and general elections.

The separate parking lots south of the current convention center are variously owned by the city and county.

The leased building properties further south of the parking lots are owned by the county and are not part of the convention center expansion.

The county has announced plans to end the leases for those properties when they expire June 30, 2026, but there are no current announced county plans for those properties.

Speculation that those leases are being terminated to create parking for the new convention center is inaccurate and without factual basis.

Hard construction costs are fixed at $52 million and an additional $20 million is dedicated for architectural and engineering, pre-construction, site preparation, utility relocation, and related non-construction “soft costs”.

The $52 million construction costs are paid from the sale of revenue bonds approved by the city council and $20 million in “soft costs” are paid from Food and Beverage tax revenues collected to date.

The projected payments of approximately $4 million annually to retire the revenue bond will be paid from annual Food and Beverage tax revenues.

No. The approved construction budget for the project is fixed and will not exceed $52 million.

The project set aside almost $4 million from current Food and Beverage tax revenues for adjustments if needed in paying the debt on the revenue bond for construction.

The Food and Beverage tax revenues are anticipated to raise more than the current annual $4 million as larger conventions are attracted.

Taxes will not increase, but the revenues generated by both Food and Beverage and Innkeepers taxes are projected to increase as the result of attracting more visitors.

The majority of the costs of operating the convention center are paid for by fees that the convention center collects from event hosts – booking and rental fees and catering and other services.

The remaining operating costs, as well as maintenance and upkeep of the facilities, are paid for by the Innkeepers Tax, a tax paid by visitors staying in hotels and other short-term lodging.

It is important to understand that the convention center itself is not being expanded to generate additional revenue. 

The additional economic revenue benefit to the community is from the market analysis that the expansion will generate an additional $9 million annually to local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries, and performance spaces as well as a projected 500 new jobs.

The Capital Improvement Board (CIB) meets monthly in public meetings that are advertised in advance, and all information related to the CIB is available on this website.

The CIB meets monthly at the convention center and has a period of time set aside for public comment at the end of each meeting. 

Please also feel free to use the Contact feature on this website.