Proposals spin competing visions for future of Bloomington convention center

The Monroe County Convention Center Advisory Commission is charged with providing a recommendation to the county commissioners about the proposed expansion of the convention center, which is located near the intersection of Third Street and College Avenue. The project also includes the possible construction of a full-service hotel.

In April, the Monroe County commissioners issued a request for qualifications to gauge private developers’ interest in the project. County Commissioner Patrick Stoffers said the county is looking for an experienced developer to partner with the community to design a hotel and civic/convention center space that can become a proud community landmark.

So far, two companies — Acquest Realty Advisors Inc. and Sun Development and Management Corp. — have expressed interest, and both groups made pitches to the commission last week.

Bloomington Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen said one proposal focuses more on providing assistance with financing and helping the community get to the next step, while the other seems to be more of a “we-will-do-it-all” model.

“Two distinct, different ways of looking at the project, from my perspective,” Renneisen said following the developers’ presentations June 14. “Not bad, not good, just different options.”