The following is a press release written by Desiree Molina for the City of Bloomington.
Bloomington, Ind.— The city's newest park, located in the planned Hopewell Development neighborhood just west of the B-Line Trail and Seminary Square Kroger, is nearly complete. Milestone Contractors has removed the fence surrounding Hopewell Commons, opening portions of the project for access.
While the newly constructed Madison and West University Streets will open at a later date, work will continue on park features throughout the winter. The park’s grand opening celebration is slated for Spring 2025.
Hopewell Commons is a one-acre urban park space centered on the intersection of the new Madison and West University Streets, and includes ping pong tables, picnic tables, and porch-style swings along with artificial turf, a small performance stage, and "log scramble" play structure. Three temporary pickleball courts will also be installed soon on the asphalt pad immediately north of the park near the B-Line Trail.
Installation of the public art piece "Undulate" by local artist Jon Racek at Hopewell Commons is tentatively scheduled for summer 2025, further enriching the space.
Hopewell Commons is a part of a comprehensive development project on the 24-acre site of the former IU Health hospital at Second and Rogers Streets. When complete, Hopewell will bring an estimated 750 housing units to Bloomington's downtown core. Hopewell will feature a mix of single-family, townhomes, mixed-use apartments as owner-occupied and rental, and at a mix of both affordable, workforce, and market rate.
Hopewell Commons was developed from the Bloomington Hospital Redevelopment Master Plan presented in January 2021 and is meant to be the anchor for the new vibrant, community-oriented neighborhood with green spaces, public amenities, and art installations that reflect Bloomington's culture and history. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission is paying for the Hopewell redevelopment project from TIF (tax increment finance) funds.
