CFC Properties has plenty to celebrate

Fountain Square’s 30th anniversary celebration

On September 4, CFC Properties celebrated the 30th anniversary of Fountain Square Mall renovation, which is located on the square in Bloomington. CFC is a Cook Group company that specializes in historic renovation and also manages residential and commercial properties.

It became apparent in the early 1980s, when people, businesses, and jobs were leaving downtown Bloomington and the buildings began to fall into disrepair, that something had to be done. CFC Properties recognized the need to save downtown and reverse the downward spiral of destruction. The Fountain Square project, which became known as “the south side of the square” project, was key in this movement.

Bill Cook believed that it was good business to invest profits back into the company—and back into the communities that Cook calls home. Innovation and company investment not only allow us to save historical structures, but also lead to a healthy business environment that creates growth for individuals and for communities.

When CFC proposed to renovate the entire south side of the downtown square, it was known then as the “Anchor Project.” With buildings dating back to 1859, this was no small task. It included all of the buildings along Kirkwood Avenue between College Avenue and Walnut Street and had to be completed in phases. It took three years to complete and became the largest renovation project in the history of Bloomington.

Today, Fountain Square Mall is 130,000 square feet and houses 330 occupants and 62 businesses and has hosted roughly 2,300 events. CFC and Cook also renovated several other downtown Bloomington properties, including The Graham, Uptown Plaza, Wicks Building, The Illinois Freight Depot, and Showers Plaza. The Kirkwood, a luxury apartment community also located downtown, was a new construction in the 2000s.

Bloomington’s downtown area continues to thrive 30 years later, representing a true revitalization success story made possible by the vision of Bill and Gayle Cook.

CFC Residential celebrates perfect score

An ice cream social was a great way for CFC to show its thanks and appreciation to the residential staff and carpenters for the perfect score they earned during the City of Bloomington’s Rental Occupancy Permit Inspection of the 141-unit Barclay Square Apartments. CFC Residential staff conducted their own pre-inspection in an effort to identify any areas for repair and maintenance. Their hard work kept CFC Residential’s perfect-score streak alive! Because of the excellent inspection results the City of Bloomington issued a five-year occupancy permit, the maximum they allow!  Thank you, CFC Residential.

The event was held in conjunction with Cook Animal Health, which is located across the street from CFC. Cook Animal Health was also celebrating—the first sale of their inaugural product. CFC and Animal Health were joined by employees from the nearby Cook Family Health Center and other Cook employees.

— This section was written by Ron Walker, the vice president of Operations for CFC Properties.

CFC’s 2018 Employee Banquet

In October, the CFC employees came to together to acknowledge another year of a job well done. In keeping with their sports theme, the banquet was held in the gym at the new Boys & Girls Club in Bloomington. Employees were recognized for perfect attendance and years of service.