Sheila Montney : “Old Owens Nursery Transformed into Bloomington Public Works Hub”

By | June 11, 2024

1. Old Owens Nursery property Bloomington public works space
2. Bloomington public works space Old Owens Nursery property.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : **BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PURCHASE OF FORMER OWENS NURSERY PROPERTY**

In a significant move, Bloomington’s city council has given the green light to the acquisition of the old Owens Nursery property for the purpose of establishing a new public works facility. The decision, which was made during a council meeting on Monday night, marks a major step forward in addressing the city’s pressing need for a modern and efficient facility to support its public works operations.

The need for a new public works building in Bloomington has been a long-standing concern, with the current facility being deemed inadequate to meet the city’s growing demands. Furthermore, the existing building has been identified as a prime location for a water detention basin to help address flooding issues and improve stormwater management in the area, underscoring the urgency of finding a new site for the public works facility.

City officials had previously estimated that constructing a new public works facility from scratch would come with a hefty price tag, ranging from $60 million to $80 million. However, the opportunity to acquire the former Owens Nursery property, which closed its doors in December 2023, has presented a cost-effective solution to the city’s infrastructure needs.

The Owens Nursery property, located on the south side of Bloomington, spans 34 acres and includes multiple warehouses and shed buildings, offering over 100,000 square feet of storage space. This ample space is seen as a crucial asset by city officials, who have highlighted the urgent need for larger and more modern facilities to support Bloomington’s public works operations.

The purchase of the Owens Nursery property is set to cost the city approximately $5.4 million, a figure that city manager Jeff Jurgens described as a “tremendous savings” compared to the cost of building a new facility from scratch. The city plans to undertake improvements to the property in phases, with a new fleet facility for the city’s vehicles being a key priority.

Currently, the city’s existing buildings are unable to accommodate all of its vehicles, forcing mechanics to carry out maintenance and repairs outdoors. A new fleet building, estimated to cost around $10 million, is planned to address this issue and will be budgeted for in the future, according to city staff reports.

While the decision to purchase the Owens Nursery property was met with general approval from the city council, some concerns were raised regarding the choice of a Decatur-based commercial retailer to facilitate the deal. Councilwoman Sheila Montney, representing Ward 3, expressed reservations about the city not engaging a local realtor for the transaction but ultimately voted in favor of the purchase.

As Bloomington gears up for the transformation of the former Owens Nursery property into a state-of-the-art public works facility, the city remains committed to leveraging its resources efficiently to meet the needs of its growing community. With the acquisition of this strategic property, Bloomington is poised to enhance its infrastructure and service delivery capabilities, setting the stage for a more resilient and sustainable future for the city..

– Old Owens Nursery Bloomington public works
– Owens Nursery Bloomington public works space.

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