The Bloomington City Council reviewed a draft Commercial Nodes Toolkit designed to revitalize smaller retail areas throughout the city during its Monday meeting, according to Mayor Tim Busse's weekly update.

The toolkit addresses challenges facing neighborhood commercial areas at major intersections, including aging buildings that don't meet modern standards and costly redevelopment in a soft market. Community Development Staff developed the multi-part strategy to modernize and support investment while avoiding displacement of existing businesses.

Strategies outlined in the toolkit range from basic support like one-on-one meetings with property owners and ribbon cuttings to financial assistance through facade improvement programs, sewer availability charge credits and tax increment financing. Larger policy tools include rezoning and landbanking options.

The council endorsed the toolkit's goals and framework, emphasizing the need for proactive and nimble approaches to keep local retail areas vibrant and integrated into neighborhoods. Busse cited recent successes including developments at Wilderness Inquiry, the Gray Barkosky Group project at 98th and Nicollet, and the Gyropolis expansion.

Separately, Bloomington's Sustainability Team received a 2025 Blazing Star Award from Conservation Minnesota for its time of sale energy disclosure program, which provides energy efficiency ratings when homes are listed for sale.