June 23–Two very different proposals for the future of the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center are under review.

The Monroe County Convention Center Advisory Commission is charged with providing a recommendation to the county commissioners about the proposed expansion of the convention center, which is located near the intersection of Third Street and College Avenue. The project also includes the possible construction of a full-service hotel.

In April, the Monroe County commissioners issued a request for qualifications to gauge private developers' interest in the project. County Commissioner Patrick Stoffers said the county is looking for an experienced developer to partner with the community to design a hotel and civic/convention center space that can become a proud community landmark.

So far, two companies — Acquest Realty Advisors Inc. and Sun Development and Management Corp. — have expressed interest, and both groups made pitches to the commission last week.

Bloomington Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen said one proposal focuses more on providing assistance with financing and helping the community get to the next step, while the other seems to be more of a "we-will-do-it-all" model.

"Two distinct, different ways of looking at the project, from my perspective," Renneisen said following the developers' presentations June 14. "Not bad, not good, just different options."

John Whikehart, chairman of the convention commission, said only one presenter, Sun Development and Management Corp., is an actual hotelier, while the other focuses more on working on the fiduciary side with communities.

"They were sort of apples-and-oranges presentations," Whikehart said.

Eric Spoonmore, a Monroe County Council member and convention center commission member, said he was disappointed that only two firms formally stepped forward on the project. While he would like to understand why there is a seeming lack of interest, Spoonmore said he would evaluate the submitted proposals as best he can to ensure they meet the needs of the community.

Whikehart said the commission is in the process of compiling questions for references and is tentatively planning to reconvene in July to rate both proposals and possibly prepare a recommendation. From there, the plan is to enter into negotiations with the recommended developer on how to proceed and whether it would be a public-private, private or public project. Other details, such as how the project will be funded, will need to be hashed out later as well.

For example, Whikehart said past discussions about expanding the convention center went along with the idea of instituting a food and beverage tax to help pay for it.

'Apples and oranges'

As part of their presentations, company representatives provided commission members with a preliminary snapshot of what they envision for how an expanded convention center and hotel would fit in the existing downtown footprint.

"They were first-brush attempts at generating some ideas," Whikehart said about the proposals, adding that as the community moves forward with the project, it will be tweaked to ensure it satisfies community needs.

Sun Development and Management Corp. proposed constructing an eight-story hotel and convention center east of the existing convention center, with a connecting bridge over College Avenue between the two buildings.

The preliminary plans included 31,300 square feet for the convention center; 31,300 square feet for meeting and banquet facilities; 200 hotel rooms; and various amenities and services such as an indoor pool, business center and fitness room.

The Indianapolis-based group also said it would work with local contractors such as Weddle Bros. and Ratio Architects as part of the development.

By contrast, Acquest Realty Advisors Inc. presented an initial proposal for a 200-room, eight- to nine-story hotel, one-story, 30,000-square-foot convention center and five-story parking garage immediately west of the convention center.

Acquest Realty Advisors' proposed approach involves identifying an economically feasible design and funding structure for the project. That would start with an information gathering phase, analyzing the market and reviewing site options and connectivity.

The Michigan-based company, too, would plan to partner with other contractors, such as White Lodging, a hotel management company, and Convergence Design, a convention center architect, to help complete the project.

That would be followed up with cost estimates, an operating model and identification of opportunities such as grants, bond financing and land donation to help with project expenses.

Why are we discussing expanding now?

Stoffers said it is time to consider expanding the convention center.

He said visitors are interested in coming to Bloomington and Monroe County, and the community wants them to visit.

Stoffers said an expansion of the convention center would allow the community to attract and host more conventions; trade shows; continuing education forms; and civic, cultural and musical events.

The community has had to turn away interested parties because of the limited space, officials say, which also means turning down opportunities for people to spend money within the community that would make it stronger and allow for the creation of more good, quality jobs.

"This will be a tremendous economic engine for our community," Stoffers said.