The closed Fourth Street parking garage is seen Tuesday in downtown Bloomington. (Alexis Oser / Herald-Times)
The Bloomington City Council has reached its second — and hopefully final — decision on issuing an $18.5 million bond to build a larger Fourth Street garage, this time approving it.
In December, the council voted to repair the 35-year-old Fourth Street garage for $1.1 million to buy an additional five years of use, avoiding the need for a bond. But in February, a report on additional structural inspections revealed extensive deterioration could push the costs beyond $1.4 million, and those repairs might not guarantee five more good years.
That prompted council members to reconsider issuing an $18.5 million bond to demolish the current garage and build a larger structure. About 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, they voted 5-3-0 in favor of funding a new garage designed to last 50 years.
Mayor John Hamilton spoke before the meeting, saying the city's administration makes decisions with a strong regard to promoting social equity, protecting the environment and stimulating economic development.
"We work on all of these in tandem because when we do all of these right, they enhance each other," Hamilton said.
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