BLOOMINGTON — The City of Bloomington is set to host a major kickoff event next week for the Hopewell South development, one of the most significant housing projects in the city’s core. The event signals a new phase in the transformation of the former Bloomington Hospital site into a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood.
Mayor Kerry Thomson and representatives from the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) and the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will join with consulting firm Flintlock LAB for the project launch.
The kickoff event is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The Hopewell project, located on the former hospital grounds, is a rare housing development in which the City is taking a direct leadership role. The development is intended to directly relieve Bloomington’s housing pressure by adding homes near downtown jobs, transit, and amenities.
The City recently partnered with Flintlock LAB, a nationally recognized firm, to implement a new development model. This approach is focused on “incremental, inclusive growth,” aiming to provide a diverse range of housing types and price points that reflect Bloomington’s unique character.
Attendees at Monday’s kickoff will include home builders, designers, financiers, and community partners. They will receive updates on the project’s goals and timeline, and participate in discussions on key topics, including:
- Housing supply and design
- Permitting and construction processes
- Financing strategies
Flintlock LAB’s work on Hopewell South is centered on developing community-focused housing solutions. The strategy involves creating a catalog of pre-approved home designs to streamline permitting and reduce costs for builders, a move aimed at making development accessible to more local firms.
“Hopewell will directly relieve housing pressure by adding homes where demand is highest: in the City’s core, near jobs, transit, and amenities,” the City noted in its advisory.
The partnership with Flintlock LAB and the launch of Hopewell South underscore the City’s commitment to delivering an outstanding new neighborhood that is both financially viable for builders and delivers attainable housing for working families and long-term residents.
The event will take place at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, Bloomington.
