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Bloomington Mayor Makes Public Facilities Easier To Use

Last updated on Thursday, October 6, 2016

(BLOOMINGTON) - The City of Bloomington has developed a new Facility Use Policy for those interested in using public facilities for gatherings and meetings.

Collectively, Bloomington residents own many buildings. The goal of the new policy is to make access to city-owned or city-managed facilities as easy and efficient as possible, while at the same time allowing the City administration to preserve, protect and maintain the City's assets for future generations.

Common Council approval is required for the new policy to go into effect. It is expected to go before Council on November 30.

"I've spoken a lot about my commitment to throwing open the doors of City Hall. When we started working in the building in January, we learned that the process for people to use rooms and outdoor spaces here and at other City-owned locations could be confusing, so I asked staff to develop a new policy based on ease of use, past experience, user input and staff recommendations. I want this new policy to make it easy for residents to use the Showers Building City Hall complex and all our resident-owned facilities. These facilities belong to the public. I welcome and encourage them to enjoy our beautiful public spaces," commented Mayor John Hamilton.

Reservation and temporary use of spaces in City facilities continues to be free for non-profit and government entities under the new policy. For individuals and groups not in those categories, reasonable rents will be charged to help support costs related to facilities maintenance.

At City Hall, based on the size of the room, proposed rents will range from $10/hour to $50/hour for the first hour, with each additional hour $5/hour. An eight hour rental with kitchen use ranges from $51 to $100; without kitchen, $31 to $75. There is a daily flat fee for outdoor facility rentals that ranges from $100/day to $400/day. Potential renters are encouraged to make their reservations as early in the year of the event as possible.

Complete details and the proposed new policy are available online at bloomington.in.gov/facilityuse. Anyone interested in reserving City facilities can come to City Hall at 401 North Morton Street, call the Department of Public Works Customer Service Representative at 812.349.3410, or email the Representative at public.works@bloomington.in.gov, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to check availability and complete your reservation.

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