The 'Blooming with Bloomington' internship program coordinator reported the program has grown from 12 spots and 36 applicants in 2023 to 23 interns and 132 applicants this year, adding new employer partners including Toro, HealthPartners and Normandale College. Two young-adult interns spoke about their placements in marketing and public health, and the high-school cohort begins June 22.
The Hatch Bloomington small-business competition, in its third year under the theme 'Hatch Loves Local,' will split a $100,000 award among five existing businesses. The application portal is open through July 6, with a top-10 pitch event scheduled for July 29.
Staff updated the board on Lindahl Apartments, a 180-unit affordable housing development planned for the former Wixson site near 98th/99th and Lindahl. The Port Authority is leading the project, but it will go before the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority because it may receive local affordable housing aid.
Port staff reported that the City Council gave preliminary direction the previous night to continue pursuing the Adora Apartments project, a 52-unit development seeking highly competitive 9% low-income tax credits. The city would contribute city-owned land and tax increment financing to strengthen the application; more public meetings are expected before final approval.
Staff said the planned update on the multi-phase Southtown development vision was delayed because the developer and staff need to work through additional details given the project's scale. The presentation is now expected at the Port Authority's July 21 meeting.
Staff reported that conversations with McGough have resumed regarding equity investment for the fifth phase of their development, an active senior (55+) building, which commissioners noted addresses an underserved local housing market.
Commissioner Shawn raised concerns that the City Council decided the previous night to dedicate large portions (roughly 3/4, described as nine-plus acres) of South Loop redevelopment sites to off-airport surface parking without that decision going through the Port Authority, which has historically overseen South Loop planning. He also questioned whether park dedication in the area should be land versus fee-based given a shortage of playgrounds and dog parks; staff agreed to brief the board further and Commissioner Peterson requested written background.
