Bloomington City Council approves Connect Transit transfer station project

Image from Connect Transit, showing the planned building.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council approved the start of construction for a Connect Transit transfer station.

Senior Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus walked the council through the Connect Transit ordinance.

“This project replaces the Front Street, which is really a bus stop, with a facility that purposely takes into account the downtown’s history, but also is a nod to the modern elements that we all want to see,” Tyus said.

The planned building will include historically inspired brick and arch elements.

City Manager Jeff Jurgens introduced the ordinance, calling it an exciting item on the agenda because he has been working on it since becoming city manager several years ago. Jurgens said the final cost of the original plan exceeded $12 million.

“We went back with Connect Transit and renegotiated it, and I think we came up with an even better project for the community that is a whole lot less of an investment for the community,” Jurgens said.

At Monday’s meeting, the council approved a purchase-sale agreement and a lease agreement outlining operating terms. According to Tyus, the city of Bloomington will pay a total of $353,713 for facility construction. That is less than the previously approved $452,178.

The lease agreement will provide 85 to 95 parking spaces designated for Connect Transit.

Tyus emphasized the transformational period downtown Bloomington is experiencing, with many construction projects underway.

“Our downtown is not going to look how it did two or three years ago, and all these things are happening, and this isn’t even all of it,” Tyus said.

Ward 3 Council member Sheila Montney asked Tyus what the city means by maintenance when it says it will be responsible for maintaining the parking lot and pushed for a formal service-level agreement.

Tyus said the ordinance outlines a separate document defining the city’s maintenance obligations for the project.

Both agreements were approved unanimously.

Demolition and construction are expected to begin in early 2027 and will take about 18 months. The facility is scheduled to open in summer or fall 2028.

During the meeting, the council also adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget.

The Bloomington City Council meets every second and fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m.