Hamilton to request millions to fund housing initiatives
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is seeking millions in funding to be directed toward what he described as housing solutions. The City Administration collaborated with the United Way and some of their member agencies in a joint press conference on Tuesday to share their update on recent efforts for addressing the topic of local homelessness. Hamilton announced that he will request millions from the more than $20 million of funding provided to the region by the federal government in American Rescue Plan Act to be used for what he describes as an ‘Affordable Housing Crisis’. Some outlined potential expenses for the significant federal fund include a community land trust, voucher programs, and landlord risk-mitigation allowances. Hamilton has described a shortage of affordable housing one of the community’s biggest challenges it faces over the next 5 years, and has already allocated nearly a half a million dollars into a new program that supports Affordable Home Ownership through Downpayment Assistance, Shared Appreciation Home Ownership, 2nd Mortgage Assistance.
Bloomington seeking registrants for ”reverse parade”
The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and Downtown Bloomington Inc. are accepting entries from local businesses and organizations for the Independence Day Reverse Parade until June 11. Entry fee to participate in the parade is $15 for a small entry space, and $20 for a large entry space. The Reverse Parade takes place on Saturday, July 3 from 10 a.m. until noon in the Purple Lot at IU’s Memorial Stadium. Spectator admission is free. The Reverse Parade, a concept conceived during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizes both patriotism and safety for all parade participants, viewers, volunteers and staff. Parade entries, to include floats, bands, musical groups, classic cars, emergency vehicles and more, will remain stationary while parade goers bicycle or drive vehicles past them.
Registration is limited to the first 50 applicants. Deadline to apply to be a part of the parade is June 11 at 5 p.m. Registration materials and complete parade rules can be obtained from the Independence Day Reverse Parade website at bloomington.in.gov/parks/events/fourth-of-july-parade
IU Health Bloomington begins construction of new EMS headquarters
IU Health Bloomington broke ground on a new emergency medical services (EMS) headquarters on Friday, June 4. Construction on the 19,300-square-foot facility, led by Pepper Construction Company, begins this month and is set to be complete in December 2021. The new facility will be located near the IU Health Bloomington Administrative Office Building near the intersection of Curry Pike and State Road 46. With easy access to Interstate 69, the building is designed specifically for this team and the important work they do in providing emergency care to individuals in need in the local and surrounding communities. Watch this video to see highlights from the event: https://bcove.video/3pkMFnl.