Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include new information.
UPDATE: The building has been demolished.
Demolition on the NAPA building in downtown Bloomington is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 23. Here’s what you need to know.
Where is the NAPA building?
The NAPA building is on the south side of Third Street, between College Avenue and Walnut Street, about half a block east of the Bloomington Convention Center.
Why is the NAPA building being demolished?
The demolition and other work will prepare the site for the expansion of the convention center. Excavation and building foundation work will occur at least through September.
Can you watch the demolition?
Yes, though local officials said you should do so from a safe distance. Crews have erected fencing around the site.
What about early voting that took place in the NAPA building?
Election Supervisor Kylie Farris said county leaders are exploring moving early voting into the Showers Building, on North Morton Street, but have not made a final decision.
County commissioners are working with election officials and an architectural firm to explore the move, but it likely would involve a bidding process, because preparing the early voting space in the Showers Building would require some construction, Farris said.
The south side of the Showers Building serves as Bloomington City Hall, while the north side houses some offices for Monroe County government.
Will the convention center work require lane closures in Bloomington?
Yes.
The project is requiring lane closures of some major downtown roads.
Lane closures will occur on College Avenue, Walnut Street and Third Street. The following lanes are/will be closed:
Where is the Bloomington Convention Center expansion being built?
The site is east of the existing convention center and is bordered by Third Street on the north and College Avenue and Walnut Street on the west and east. A map (tinyurl.com/xnusuzda) shows the construction entrance on the southwest side of the property, along College Avenue, across the street from the Kroger store.
The demolition of the NAPA building originally was planned for the week of July 7, but was delayed at least in part because Duke energy crews were redirected for storm cleanup.
Why is the convention center being expanded?
Proponents of the convention center expansion — local merchants, the business community at large, Mayor Kerry Thomson and other elected officials — say it would allow the city to host more and larger conventions from out-of-town organizations, bringing more tourism dollars into the community and creating jobs. Proponents also say the convention center would support local organizations and businesses, including Cook and Indiana University, which could host larger events at the expanded center, for purposes including training.
According to the CIB, the expansion will bring in an additional $9 million into the community annually, which convention-goers will spend on local hotels, shops and restaurants. Whikehart said the CIB estimates the expansion will produce an additional 500 jobs in the hospitality and related industries and will increase tax revenue.
How much will the convention center expansion cost?
About $71 million.
Who is paying for the expansion?
Patrons of Bloomington bars, restaurants and grocery stores.
The city of Bloomington is borrowing the money for construction and will use proceeds from the food and beverage tax to make the annual debt payment. Monroe County got approval from the state legislature in 2017 to establish the tax. It requires everyone who buys a prepared meal in the county — at bars, restaurants and grocery stores — to pay 1% extra.
When will the expansion be completed?
The CIB’s president, John Whikehart, has said he expects construction to be completed in January 2027, though work in the area may continue, as the city is working with a developer to build a hotel on the block just north of the existing convention center.
Whom can you contact if you have construction-related questions?
You can leave a message for the construction manager, Weddle Bros. Building Group, at 812-214-2900.
Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: UPDATE: NAPA building demolished. What we know.
Reporting by Boris Ladwig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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