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Hopewell
heads in a new direction—one that puts community first.
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On
Monday, June 30, the City of Bloomington’s Redevelopment Commission
voted to chart a new course for the future of Hopewell South:
a more flexible, locally informed, and community-centered path forward.
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Hopewell, located on the site of the
former IU Health Bloomington Hospital, is one of the few housing
developments led directly by the City. That makes it an opportunity to
deliver the kind of neighborhood residents have been asking for: one
built by local hands, shaped by community voices, and filled with all
kinds of housing options for all kinds of Bloomington
neighbors—first-time buyers, working families, long-term residents, and
everyone in between.
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When
Hopewell was first envisioned, it was a different housing era—before
the pandemic and before soaring construction costs. This administration
inherited that vision and made the tough call to reassess and adapt.
Building a truly exceptional neighborhood today means being more innovative with housing than
ever before.
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We
know Bloomington needs more housing. This strategy shift also allows us
to rethink what’s possible, clear bureaucratic hurdles, and use
Hopewell as a test case for how our City can accelerate good
development and reduce red tape—without sacrificing character or care.
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With
help from our new partner Flintlock LAB, a nationally
recognized leader in community-first development, we’re bringing a new approach to neighborhood building—one
that democratizes the process through thoughtful design and smarter
policy.
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Here’s
what that means in action:
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- A catalog of 10+ pre-approved home designs to
speed up permitting and reduce costs
- More opportunities for local builders and
vendors to participate, keeping investments right here in
Bloomington
- Legal tools that support both permanently
affordable and market-rate housing
- Public engagement and developer education that
increase transparency and trust
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As Mayor Kerry Thomson said:
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“We
don’t just want to build housing—we want to build better. Hopewell
should feel like Bloomington. We’re finally on a path to make that
happen.”
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The
details are still unfolding—but the vision is clear: a neighborhood
that blends inspiration with everyday ease, and vibrancy with a deep
sense of belonging. In the coming months, look for opportunities to
weigh in and shape what comes next, construction timelines, site
designs, and housing breakdowns by type.
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