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From YouTube: Bloomington Today: June 1, 2011
Description
On this week's episode of Bloomington Today, crews were on site during a major project's groundbreaking at the Mall of America, we'll take a look at an addition to the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center, and find out about an upcoming event that will help make Bloomington a Yellow Ribbon City.
A
A
The
project
consists
of
a
500-room
13-story
luxury
hotel,
connected
to
the
mall
by
a
sky
bridge
filled
with
retail
shops.
It
will
be
constructed
on
the
mall's
south
side
between
bloomingdale's
and
macy's.
We
were
on
site
at
the
project's
recent
groundbreaking
ceremony
as
key
leaders
from
radisson
triple
five,
which
owns
the
mall
of
america.
The
port
authority
and
officials
from
the
city
of
bloomington
showed
their
support
of
the
project,
highlighting
the
employment
opportunities
created,
as
well
as
the
boost
in
tourist
potential,
but.
B
B
That
is
a
lot
of
people
you've
heard
about
what
the
project
is
going
to
do.
But
what
you
don't
always
think
about
is
the
local
florists,
the
people
who
do
the
linen
the
people
who
actually
build
all
the
materials
that
the
soft
goods
that
come
into
the
hotel.
You
don't
think
of
people
like
eagle
lab
who
who
provides
all
of
our
cleaning
supplies,
so
the
economic
reach
of
travel
and
hospitality
is
deep
and
it's
vital
to
our
state
and
it's
vital
to
our
nation.
C
Bloomington
is
the
hospitality
hub,
as
we
all
know,
of
the
entire
state,
with
more
hotel
and
motel
rooms
than
st
paul
and
minneapolis
combined
the
dreamers
and
planners
of
25
years
ago
for
this
space
in
starting
to
plan,
the
greatest
mall
in
the
united
states
had
a
vision
of
what
could
be
and
we,
the
current
leaders,
envision
even
greater
expansion
here
at
the
mall
with
phase
two
with
the
addition
of
the
radisson
blue,
we
will
realize
greater
opportunities
and
there's
a
lot
of
surprises
ahead.
I
suspect.
A
Construction
will
begin
this
month
as
the
current
two-story
parking
structure
is
torn
down,
replaced
by
a
three-story
garage.
The
radisson
blue
will
be
built
on
top
of
the
parking.
The
city
will
also
build
a
second
sky
bridge
linking
the
new
hotel
and
mall
of
america
with
hotels
and
parking
south
of
kilburu
drive.
The
bridge
over
kilobrew
is
partially
funded
by
a
federal
grant.
The
hotel
is
set
to
open
in
the
spring
of
2013.
A
continue
to
tune
into
bloomington
today,
where
we'll
keep
you
in
the
loop
on
the
progress
of
the
radisson
blue
as
well
as
other
events
happening
within
the
south
loop
district.
Another
major
development
project
is
set
to
begin
in
just
a
few
short
weeks.
Nebraska-Based
richdale
group
will
begin
construction
on
a
282-unit
project
called
luxembourg
later
this
month.
D
A
A
A
The
bloomington
family
aquatic
center
is
preparing
to
open
its
doors
for
the
busy
summer
season.
Hosing
out
the
pool
floor
and
making
the
bath
house
squeaky
clean
are
on
the
to-do
list,
but
also
completing
an
update
to
the
top
area
of
the
pool
one
that
kids
will
enjoy
three
times
as
much
as
the
old
structure.
E
We're
really
excited
about
our
new
top
slide.
It
has
more
features
than
the
older
one.
We
decided
to
do
an
update
after
all,
the
needed
repairs
on
the
older
shipwreck
slide.
This
one
will
feature
a
tunnel
slide,
a
regular
slide
and
then
a
little
turtle
slide
for
the
tots.
So
we're
just
super
excited
about
having
three
slides
in
one
feature.
A
The
aquatic
center
prides
itself
in
having
something
for
everyone:
water,
slides,
diving
boards,
lap
lanes
and
now
city
officials
say
the
tot
experience
will
be
that
much
more
enjoyable
for
visitors,
the
new
slide
installation
isn't
all
the
city
has
in
store
for
the
facility.
Come
2012
there'll,
be
more.
E
A
The
bloomington
family
aquatic
center
opens
its
gates
on
saturday
june
11
and
is
open
daily
at
11
a.m
through
august
21st
to
take
a
look
at
other
activities
offered
at
the
aquatic
center,
as
well
as
the
complete
list
of
hours
and
prices
visit,
the
city's
website
and
keyword
search
aquatic
center,
while
another
successful
curbside
cleanup
is
in
the
books.
Let's
take
a
look
at
just
how
much
unwanted
material
was
taken
away.
A
A
28.59
tons
of
additional
trash
was
picked
up
this
year,
while
there
were
909
fewer
appliances
left
out
at
the
curb
in
2011.
brush
and
other
yard.
Waste
went
way
up
this
year,
going
from
39.55
yards
picked
up
to
62.3
in
2011.,
the
total
for
scrap
metal
went
down
5.34
tons
from
last
year's
curbside
cleanup
residents
who
pay
the
annual
cost
of
20.28
cents
for
the
program
were
eligible
to
set
their
unwanted
items
out
on
the
curb
the
morning
of
their
neighborhood's
pickup
date,
the
city
was
divided
into
five
collection
sections.
A
Each
area
of
the
city
had
items
removed
on
a
designated
saturday
running
from
early
april
to
early
may.
If
you
have
hazardous
items
that
were
not
accepted
during
the
pickup
like
paints,
motor
oils
or
electronic
goods,
don't
worry,
we
have
a
place
that
will
take
those
items
off
your
hands,
visit
the
city's
website
to
find
out
more
information
on
the
south,
hennepin
recycling
and
problem
waste
drop-off
center,
including
hours
of
operation,
location
and
what
items
they
accept.
A
F
F
F
F
A
I
The
biannual
ribbon
recognition
program
is
a
program
through
the
state
of
minnesota.
It's
a
governor's
program
in
which
we
recognize
and
those
communities
who
are
going
over
and
above
to
support
service
members,
military
families
and
veterans
throughout
the
program
we
go
into
a
community
and
we
ask
them
to
create
an
action
plan
of
infusing
support
within
every
key
area
of
their
community
through
their
public
safety
through
their
faith-based
organizations,
their
veterans
organizations,
and
we
ask
them
to
connect
and
synchronize
resources
and
efforts
to
support
that
area
of
their
community.
I
J
A
H
Well,
what
we
found
yellow
ribbon
in
nutshell,
we
found
there's
basically
two
groups
of
people
out
there.
You
know
we
have
any
number
of
service
people,
veterans,
retired
military
who
are
in
need
of
services,
and
those
services
may
be
financial.
They
may
be
as
simple
as
babysitting
or
you
know,
helping
take
care
of
the
house
or
something
like
that.
On
the
other
hand,
we
have
so
many
people
who
want
to
do
something
to
support
the
military,
but
don't
know
what
to
do.
A
I
H
My
ties
go
very
deep.
You
know
I've
been
serving
bloomington
since
1980
on
the
hra,
the
planning
commission,
city
council,
I'm
also
a
vietnam
vet.
Okay,
and
when
I
came
back
from
vietnam
in
1968,
the
reception
was
very,
very
different
for
veterans
back.
Then
you
know-
and
I
said
that
you
know
we
need
to
do
something
to
change
this,
so
I'm
so
excited
about
working
on
this
program.
You
know
also,
you
know
my
initials
are
vfw.
If
that
tells
you
anything
so.
H
A
I
In
our
state
recognized
program,
we
asked
the
community
to
form
a
steering
committee
made
up
of
key
areas
within
your
community.
We
ask
that
representatives
come
together
at
the
table
to
coordinate
and
synchronize
resources.
We
take
a
look
at
your
youth
support
through
your
school
systems.
We
look
at
your
public
safety,
your
community
leaders
and
what
they
can
do
to
help
infuse
support.
We
look
at
your
faith-based
organizations
and,
of
course,
your
veterans
organizations
and
your
businesses
and
employers
to
coordinate
efforts
to
make
sure
that
we
are
infusing
support.
As
vern
mentioned.
I
We
know
a
lot
of
great
things
are
happening
here
in
the
community
of
bloomington.
We
want
to
coordinate
those
efforts
and
make
sure
that,
if
somebody's
doing
something
at
a
church
that
the
veteran
organizations
know-
and
they
can
help,
coordinate
and
connect
the
resources
for
military
families
and
veterans.
A
All
right:
well,
there
is
a
kick-off
event
that
is
in
the
works.
Why
don't
we
get
into
that
a
little
bit?
What
exactly
that
event
is
and
what
it
will
entail?
We're.
H
Very
excited
on
june
14th
on
flag
day
we're
going
to
be
doing
a
kickoff
here
at
the
snyder
theater
at
city
hall
and
we're
inviting
everybody
it's
open
to
the
community,
we're
looking
for
everybody.
Who's
ever
wanted
to
come
out
and
do
something
to
support
the
military
and
we're
looking
for
all
those
military
families
who
may
not
need
support
today,
but
might
in
the
future.
Yes
and
just
marry
those
two
organizations.
If
you
would.
I
And
at
the
kickoff
we
come
and
explain
the
program
more
in
detail
about
what
a
community
really
needs
to
do
to
begin
to
compile
their
action
plan
that
we
submit
to
the
state
of
minnesota
to
take
a
look
at
the
commitment
that
your
community
is
going
to
make
in
each
area
and
how
you
commit
to
our
requirements
to
become
a
yellow,
ribbon.
Community
is
up
to
this
community
and
you
can
use
any
kind
of
creativity
or
fit
into
any
programs
that
you
have.
So
we
explain
that
more
in
depth.
I
We
talk
about
the
needs
of
the
military
in
your
community.
We
we
have
narrowed
it
down
to
what
the
needs
top
need.
Areas
are,
and
we
ask
for
your
partnership
and
support,
and
we
just
have
a
great
presence
of
our
local
military
leaders
to
to
build
a
relationship
with
the
community.
A
Wonderful
well,
I
know
you
had
said
that
there
are
more
than
40
yellow
ribbon
cities
within
the
state
of
minnesota
talk
a
bit
about
kind
of
what
you've
seen
as
far
as
you
know,
the
before
and
afters
after
you
get
a
city
involved.
How
does
that
benefit.
I
A
city
we
have
seen
miracles
happen
across
the
state
of
minnesota,
whether
it's
a
crisis
that
a
military
family
is
going
through
or
just
a
partnership
that
they
need
to
become
networked
with
with
employer
in
the
community.
If
they're
returning
from
deployment,
we
have
seen
veterans
who
are
no
longer
isolated
and
alone
be
able
to
be
connected
to
locally
accessible
resources.
I
Miracles
have
been
happening
all
around
this
state
and
one
of
the
goals
of
the
adjutant
general
general,
richard
nash,
is
to
ensure
that
we
have
a
yellow
ribbon
network
in
all
of
our
armory
and
air
base
communities
across
minnesota.
So
we
are
achieving
that
goal
in
ensuring
that
we
have
these
networks
of
support.
We
have
been
able
to
ensure
that
we
can
help
you
as
a
community
support
your
military
within
your
community,
but
also
connect
those
military
up
to
all
the
resources
that
they
may
need
in
any
service
branch.
Okay,.
H
You
know
bloomington
has
one
of
the
largest
armories
in
the
state
of
minnesota,
so
we
have
a
huge
you
know:
population
base
here
in
bloomington
that
are
military,
but
we've
also
found
there
are
a
number
of
military
families
who
may
live
outside
of
bloomington,
but
go
out
of
this
armory
and
there's
also
a
number
of
military
families
not
connected
to
this
army.
It
may
be
marines,
it
may
be
navy,
you
know,
but
they're
active
military
people
deployed.
So
really.
H
What
we
hope
to
do
is
expand
the
program
once
we
get
going
to
service
those
communities
outside
of
bloomington,
because
we
found
there's
any
number
of
services
already
available,
but
they
may
not
be
in
our
community.
So
you
know
if
somebody
comes
from
a
rich
field
or
an
edina,
we
can
connect
them
with
the
services
of
their
community.
So
again,
it's
just
a
connection.
Point
form.
A
H
H
G
H
A
Wonderful
well,
I
hope
so
we'd
like
to
thank
bloomington
city
council,
member
vern
wilcox
for
being
here
today,
as
well
as
director
of
military
outreach
for
the
state
of
minnesota,
annette
kuiper,
for
more
information
on
the
beyond
the
yellow,
ribbon.
Kickoff
event.
We
invite
everyone
to
go
visit.
The
city's
website
at
www.ci.bloomington.mn.us.
G
G
A
Welcome
back
to
bloomington
today,
saturday
june
11th
is
national
get
outdoors
day.
So
what
better
opportunity
than
now
to
put
down
the
video
games,
ipad
and
remote
control
and
get
outside
three
rivers
park
district
has
teamed
up
with
active
living
hennepin
county
to
encourage
twin
cities
to
become
more
active
by
getting
out
and
enjoying
nature
in
bloomington
residents
are
invited
to
stop
out
to
the
richardson
nature
center
located
in
highland
park,
reserve
to
check
out
how
they
will
be
celebrating
national,
get
outdoors
day
from
2
to
4
p.m.
A
Naturalists
and
volunteers
will
be
leading
an
activity
called
fun
at
the
pond.
This
free
event
invites
children
of
all
ages
to
come
and
explore
one
of
the
pond
areas
within
highland
park,
catch
crayfish,
beetles
and
dragonflies,
while
looking
for
turtles,
birds
and
other
wildlife,
the
nature
center
will
provide
nets
and
buckets
for
the
kids
to
play
with.
A
If
you
don't
have
a
little
one
who
would
be
interested
in
the
fun
at
the
pond
event,
we
encourage
you
to
celebrate
national
get
outdoors
day
in
your
own
way.
By
getting
out
on
one
of
the
many
parks
and
trails
the
city
has
to
offer
the
minnesota
association
of
government
communicators
or
magc
holds
an
annual
awards
ceremony
honoring
various
communications
produced
by
government
entities
called
the
northern
lights
contest.
A
A
Well,
that's
all
the
time
we
have
for
today
to
get
more
information
on
city
projects,
parks,
road
construction
and
events
visit.
The
city's
website
to
check
out
past
bloomington
today
shows
or
other
city
productions
visit,
bloomington's
youtube,
channel,
accessible
right
from
the
city's
homepage.
That
and
so
much
more
is
online
right
now
at
www.ci.bloomington.mn.us.