Anderson + Bohlander was selected from a group of five finalists as the lead Landscape Architect for the City of Bloomington’s effort to develop a new, highly-customized infrastructure for its downtown Certified Tech Park in 2015. After a mayoral race occurred midway through the design process, the new administration sought to update and expand the scope of the project to include two new streets that would better encourage private development in the area. Anderson + Bohlander worked with city leadership and planning staff to coordinate a new layout for physical infrastructure and utilities that would maximize developable space and increase opportunity for future jobs. This includes innovative stormwater management systems of permeable paving and infiltration basins, park-like shared spaces that encourage interaction and collaboration, and curbless streets that focus on the pedestrian experience. Platting of the multiple “common areas' ensure that the public space will be protected indefinitely to encourage socializing and chance occurrances between tech employees, entrepreneurs, and the public, a key ingredient in successful innovation districts. The design of the project seeks to highlight the historic material palette of the industrial setting, while interjecting contemporary design elements such as public art and electric charging stations
