City of Bloomington Prepares Hopewell Commons for Community Enjoyment

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~ Bloomington's newest park, Hopewell Commons, is nearing completion in the planned Hopewell Development neighborhood. Located just west of the B-Line Trail and Seminary Square Kroger, the one-acre urban park space is set to open in Spring 2025.

Milestone Contractors has removed the fence surrounding Hopewell Commons, allowing portions of the project to be accessible to the public. While construction on the newly constructed Madison and West University Streets will continue throughout the winter, park features such as ping pong tables, picnic tables, porch-style swings, and a "log scramble" play structure are already in place.

In addition to these amenities, three temporary pickleball courts will soon be installed on the asphalt pad north of the park near the B-Line Trail. The park will also feature artificial turf and a small performance stage.

One of the highlights of Hopewell Commons will be a public art piece titled "Undulate" by local artist Jon Racek. The installation is tentatively scheduled for summer 2025 and is expected to further enhance the space.

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Hopewell Commons is part of a larger development project on the 24-acre site of the former IU Health hospital at Second and Rogers Streets. The project aims to bring 750 housing units to Bloomington's downtown core, including single-family homes, townhomes, mixed-use apartments for both owners and renters at affordable, workforce, and market rates.

The idea for Hopewell Commons originated from the Bloomington Hospital Redevelopment Master Plan presented in January 2021. It is meant to serve as an anchor for a new vibrant and community-oriented neighborhood with green spaces, public amenities, and art installations that reflect Bloomington's culture and history.

Funding for this redevelopment project comes from TIF (tax increment finance) funds provided by Bloomington Redevelopment Commission. More information about Hopewell can be found on their website.

The city has been providing updates on the Hopewell Neighborhood Project since its inception. In October 2024, a meeting was held to discuss the progress of the project, and in July 2023, the public was invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. The City of Bloomington Engineering Department has also been involved in the development of Hopewell, specifically with the Hopewell West - Jackson Street Project and Hopewell East - Bloomington Hospital Re-Use (BHRU) Project.

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The Hopewell Neighborhood has been a topic of discussion for several years now. In February 2022, it was officially designated as a neighborhood by the city, and in October 2022, progress on the project was highlighted as a step towards greater diversity, sustainability, and affordability in Bloomington.

The site of Hopewell Neighborhood holds historical significance as it was once home to IU Health Bloomington Hospital and served as the city's first hospital. In March 2019, the Monroe County History Center presented "Bloomington Hospital: From Dream to Reality," a history of the site.

In January 2018, it was announced that the city would be purchasing the current hospital site from IU Health to make way for this redevelopment project. With its grand opening just around the corner, Hopewell Commons is set to become a beloved addition to Bloomington's downtown core.

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