Housing development begins construction on West Third Street in Bloomington
Construction workers are using heavy equipment to move dirt on a 37-acre site south of Ivy Tech's Bloomington campus. Flaggers have restricted traffic on South Park Square Drive.
The activity is part of a long-delayed housing project. Here’s what we know.
Where is the construction site?
The work is taking place at 4755 W. Ind. 48. The property is bordered by the state road (Third Street) to the north and Highland Park Elementary School to the south.
What is being built by Highland Park Elementary in Bloomington?
The site will house 17 multi-family buildings with 330 rental homes, ranging from townhomes to three-story apartment buildings. Developers also plan to include a clubhouse, pool and dog park.
Half of the apartments will have one bedroom. About a third will have two bedrooms.
The developers said in filings with the county the apartments will feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and wood laminate flooring. The buildings’ exterior, the developers said, will be made of high-quality materials — not vinyl — and will have “architecturally stimulating accents.”
The project is named Westgate on Third.
The buildings also will have 11,000 square feet for businesses along West Third Street and 22,000 square feet of office space.
How much will the apartments and townhomes cost?
That’s unclear. Local filings do not include details on unit cost, and the developers could not be reached.
Local filings do mention that the development will provide “market-rate” housing, meaning the apartments will be available for a price that is in line with what people generally pay for housing in Monroe County.
Who is building the housing project on Third Street in Monroe County?
The companies behind the project are Domo Development Co. and Redhawk Multifamily.
According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Domo was created in 2012 and is based in Noblesville. Redhawk was founded in 2019, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. Its principal office is in the Chicago area.
A founding partner of Domo, John Hennessy, did not immediately reply to an email and a voicemail. According to the Domo website, Hennessy is a licensed general contractor in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Omaha, Nebraska, and holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.
Which Monroe County officials approved the project?
The Monroe County Commissioners gave the go-ahead in January 2021. The project had received support from local business, economic development and education leaders.
Cook Group President Pete Yonkman said in a letter in summer 2020 the project would be “a strong draw for our current and future employees.”
Approved: Commissioners OK plans for development near Ivy Tech Bloomington
When will the housing project in Monroe County be finished?
That’s unclear. The developers could not be reached.
Initial plans called for construction to start in fall of 2021 or spring of 2022 and to last 18 months, which means it should have been finished by now.
However, local filings from late 2022 indicate developers expect project completion after about three years.
Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Construction begins on site next to Highland Park Elementary
