Committee to Steer Future of Bloomington Hospital Site

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton (photo courtesy of the city of Bloomington)

A newly-formed group tasked with providing the next steps for the Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital property will hold its first meeting Monday. The Hospital Re-Use Steering Committee will begin the effort to re-envision the property, which will be acquired by the city upon completion of the new Indiana University Health Regional Academic Health Center.

The committee is comprised of community stakeholders appointed by Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton. At the inaugural meeting, committee members will receive the final report issued by the Washington D.C.-based Urban Land Institute.

The report includes recommendations such as the development of affordable and market rate housing, office and retail space, a community arts center and green space. The committee will also hear presentations from two potential master developers for the redevelopment project.

The committee is being co-chaired by Hamilton and former State Senator Vi Simpson. 

The new 735,000-square-foot Regional Academic Health Center will serve as the new location for IU Health Bloomington Hospital. As part of an agreement between the city and the health system, the old hospital building will be demolished once the transition to the new facility is complete.

The city says the Regional Academic Health Center is scheduled to be complete by 2020.