Bloomington Port Authority Welcomes New City Manager Amid Focus on Small Business Growth

Overview: The Bloomington Port Authority Commission’s recent meeting highlighted the introduction of Zach Walker as the new city manager and a strong focus on developing local small businesses through an enhanced procurement program.

Bloomington Port Authority Commission Discusses South Loop District Plan and Approves Key Budget Amendments

Overview: The Bloomington Port Authority Commission meeting held on August 19, 2025, focused on substantial updates to the South Loop District Plan and approved budget amendments, addressing both real estate development strategies and financial planning for upcoming city projects.

Bloomington Port Authority Backs Grant Application for Housing Development at South Town

Overview: The Bloomington Port Authority Commission convened to discuss topics, including the approval of a grant application for a new housing development and various updates on city initiatives. The commission unanimously agreed to support an application for a Metropolitan Council Transit-Oriented Development grant aimed at redeveloping part of the South Town area. This decision marks an important step towards potentially adding 130 housing units to the site of a former dealership at the corner of Knox and American. The grant, if awarded, would allow the Port Authority to enter into a grant agreement, facilitating the broader development proposal expected to be presented in the future.

Bloomington Port Authority Approves Tax Exemption and Focuses on Small Business Growth

Overview: The Bloomington Port Authority Commission meeting addressed vital financial and developmental strategies, including approving a property tax exemption for Port-owned properties, reviewing the Elevate Hennepin initiative’s impact on small businesses, and discussing the termination of a property purchase agreement to prioritize economic development.

Bloomington Port Authority Approves Key Grocery Lease and Explores Future Development Strategies

Overview: The Bloomington Port Authority Commission approved a lease agreement with Colonial Market for the Bloomington Central Station Grocery during their recent meeting. Additionally, the commission delved into various strategic development projects, including the Commercial Nodes Toolkit and the potential sale of a property near the Mall of America for public park development, while also focusing on refining their mission statement to better encapsulate their evolving role in city development.