BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Monroe Capital Improvement Board is sharing the first renderings of the $52 million Monroe Convention Center expansion project.
The current Monroe County Convention Center opened in 1991 and is 31,000 square feet.
There are three concepts from Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design: City, Quarry and Go Big.
In June, the CIB chose the land east of the current convention center as the preferred site for the convention center expansion, between Walnut and College, and south of 3rd street.
The interior layout remains the same across all three designs.
The expansion would bring a new 31,500 square foot ballroom that could host four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts or banquets of up to 2-thousand people.
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design)
A truck staging area would be on the south end of the expanded convention center off College Avenue.
"CITY" DESIGN CONCEPT
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design)
"QUARRY" DESIGN CONCEPT
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design)
"GO BIG" DESIGN CONCEPT
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design) 
(Schmidt Associates and Convergence Design)
All of the design concepts feature a skywalk from the current convention center to the west, which Capital Improvement Board President John Whikehart said is "absolutely essential."
However, the Bloomington City Council has previously expressed opposition to a skywalk, saying it “would limit convention attendee opportunities to interact with and patronize downtown businesses.”
Whikehart pushed back in Wednesday's meeting, saying “From a guest comfort and safety standpoint, it’s essential not to have to cross College, which is, frankly, a very busy street in Bloomington.”
Early indications show board members are leaning towards the "Go Big" concept, over it's ability to stick out in the skyline and attract people—and cameras—to the convention center.
“What is a building that triggers the imagination of those who might be convinced to come down and spend money in this community versus another community?” board member Jay Baer asked during the meeting.
According to Convergence Design, there is not a significant overall difference in cost between the three design options.
There will be a public meeting at the convention center on Sept. 16 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to get feedback on the proposed designs.
Construction and renovation could start in early 2025, with the project expected to be complete in early 2027.
