By Joe Ragusa
BLOOMINGTON – A developer from East Peoria is updating his proposal for a downtown hotel and conference center in Bloomington. Jeff Giebelhausen will present his $50 million idea at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Alderman Scott Black told WJBC’s Terry James that he’s all for it.
“Right now, that property is not generating the revenue that it can for our city,” Black said. “If we can do something to make it generate more revenue, that’s more money in our street budget. That’s more money for police and firemen.”
Black said a downtown hotel and conference center would help the area’s existing attractions, like the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
“I think you’ll see that with those type of rooms and more people down there that more events will come,” Black said.
LISTEN: Alderman Scott Black discusses a downtown hotel with WJBC’s Terry James.
A consulting group will present the city council with multiple options regarding the city’s investment in the project, which is up in the air right now.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
