BLOOMINGTON— The city’s newest park, located in the planned Hopewell Development neighborhood just west of the B-Line Trail and Seminary Square Kroger, is nearly complete. Milestone Contractors has removed the fence surrounding Hopewell Commons, opening portions of the project for access.
While the newly constructed Madison and West University Streets will open later, work will continue on park features throughout the winter. The park’s grand opening celebration is slated for Spring 2025.
Hopewell Commons is a one-acre urban park space centered on the intersection of the new Madison and West University Streets. It includes ping pong tables, picnic tables, porch-style swings, artificial turf, a small performance stage, and a “log scramble” play structure. Three temporary pickleball courts will soon be installed on the asphalt pad north of the park near the B-Line Trail.
The installation of the public art piece “Undulate” by local artist Jon Racek at Hopewell Commons is tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2025. This will further enrich the space.
Hopewell Commons is part of a comprehensive development project on the 24-acre site of the former IU Health hospital at Second and Rogers Streets. When complete, Hopewell will bring 750 housing units to Bloomington’s downtown core. It will feature a mix of single-family, townhome, and mixed-use apartments, both owner-occupied and rental, at affordable, workforce, and market rates.
Hopewell Commons was developed from the Bloomington Hospital Redevelopment Master Plan presented in January 2021 and is meant to be the anchor for the new vibrant, community-oriented neighborhood with green spaces, public amenities, and art installations that reflect Bloomington’s culture and history. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission is paying for the Hopewell redevelopment project using TIF (tax increment finance) funds.
