[0:01] - 2024 was a remarkable year

for the city of Bloomington,

[0:05] full of many accomplishments,

new beginnings,

[0:07] and times when we were simply the best.

[0:10] As we look back, a major

focus was shaping the future

[0:13] through key investments in spaces

[0:15] that preserve our natural environment

[0:17] and bring people together.

[0:20] The Bloomington Forward Projects,

[0:21] guided by invaluable community input,

[0:24] saw remarkable strides

throughout the year.

[0:26] The transformation began

with the groundbreaking

[0:29] of the Bloomington Ice

Garden Modernization Project,

[0:32] ensuring that this

50-year-old community amenity

[0:35] will continue to serve future generations.

[0:38] Meanwhile, the Community

Health and Wellness Center

[0:40] is moving closer to

reality with design work

[0:42] that shows the possibilities of a facility

[0:45] that will support recreational

and fitness activities

[0:48] and community programs

[0:50] that residents throughout

our region will enjoy.

[0:52] The Nine Mile Creek

Corridor renewal project

[0:55] also gained momentum with many

community engagement events

[0:58] that allowed residents to take

part in its evolving vision.

[1:02] Looking ahead to 2025,

two major park projects,

[1:05] Bryant Park and Tretbaugh

Park will soon be realized.

[1:09] Bryant Park will be home

[1:10] to the city's first fully

accessible playground,

[1:13] making play more inclusive for all.

[1:15] Tretbaugh Park is being reimagined

[1:17] into a bike skills park,

offering a space where cyclists

[1:20] of all ages can grow and learn.

[1:24] Economic growth continued to

shape Bloomington's identity.

[1:26] The inaugural year of the

Hatch Bloomington Contest

[1:29] showcased outstanding business

ideas with Scramblin' Egg

[1:32] taking home the $100,000 prize.

[1:35] Their journey from food

truck to brick and mortar

[1:38] at 7828 Portland Avenue

South is a testament

[1:42] to the city's entrepreneurial spirit.

[1:44] Several local businesses also

expanded their footprint.

[1:47] Luro Boots settled into a

larger space on Portland Avenue,

[1:50] while Gyropolis reinvigorated

its corner at 90th and Penn

[1:54] with a beautifully renovated space

[1:56] celebrating its popular Greek cuisine.

[1:58] Several businesses including

Waffle Bar, Perk Up Kitchen,

[2:01] Backstory Coffee, Clawzone

Park, Wilderness Inquiry,

[2:05] and TKDA joined our vibrant

commercial landscape

[2:08] and larger industry leaders

like Polar Semiconductor

[2:11] and SkyWater Technology will continue

[2:14] to invest in the Bloomington community,

[2:15] expanding production through

Federal Chips Act funding.

[2:18] Meanwhile, new developments at Southtown

[2:21] signal continued growth for the city.

[2:23] Bloomington received

numerous accolades in 2024,

[2:26] underscoring the city's

commitment to excellence.

[2:29] Once again, the city earned the

distinction of Best in Glass

[2:33] for the highest quality

tap water in Minnesota,

[2:35] an honor awarded by the Minnesota section

[2:37] of the American Water Works Association.

[2:39] The Minneapolis Regional

Chamber recognized Bloomington

[2:42] at the Leaders and Innovators Awards,

[2:44] celebrating the police department's

[2:45] Bloomington Community Brain

Health Services program

[2:48] in its public safety category,

[2:49] and the Nine Mile Creek

Corridor Renewal Project

[2:52] for its dedication to sustainability.

[2:54] Health and wellness

remained a central focus.

[2:56] Based on resident feedback

and community data,

[2:59] Bloomington was honored

[3:00] with a 2024 Voice of the People award

[3:03] for transformation in health

and wellness from Polco

[3:06] and the International City

County Management Association.

[3:09] Our arts and culture scene

[3:11] also received national recognition.

[3:12] Bloomington was named one

of the top arts communities

[3:15] in the US with the Minneapolis

[3:17] St. Paul Bloomington

Metro area ranking fifth

[3:20] in the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index,

[3:23] a reflection of our city's

thriving creative energy.

[3:27] Creative placemaking is an integral part

[3:29] of making this work happen in 2024.

[3:31] Unveiling new art boxes, the

South Loop Community Garden

[3:34] and partnership with Parks and Recreation,

[3:36] a COVID-19 memorial in partnership

[3:38] with public health and Latino Nature Fest

[3:41] at the Minnesota Valley

[3:42] National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

[3:44] Additionally, the creation

[3:46] of a citywide creative

placemaking plan is underway

[3:49] with engagement efforts,

[3:50] including 20 artists led pop-up activities

[3:53] throughout the summer

to help shape the plan.

[3:56] Clear, effective, and

transparent communications

[3:59] continue to be a priority

[4:00] with Bloomington earning state

[4:02] and national recognition for projects

[4:04] such as the Bloomington

Forward Education Campaign,

[4:07] the Corporate Report to the Community,

[4:09] the Bloomington Briefing Newsletter,

[4:10] and Bloomington Today News Show,

[4:12] as well as a lifetime achievement award

[4:15] from the Minnesota Association

of Government Communicators

[4:18] for Communications

Administrator Janine Hill,

[4:21] recognizing her leadership

[4:22] and outstanding accomplishments

in the profession.

[4:25] As we reflect on a year

of growth, achievement,

[4:28] and community spirit,

one thing remains clear.

[4:31] Bloomington is not just moving forward,

[4:33] it is thriving with purpose, resilience,

[4:36] and a shared vision for the future.