The Bloomington Chronicle - Recent changes [en]

Monroe County Jail

Chronically Dave — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:18:59 GMT

2026

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	=== 2026 ===		=== 2026 ===

			* '''2026-06-17 Jail location.''' Monroe County’s board of judges declines to appoint a member of working subgroup for jail-location discussions. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-17-Monroe-County-Board-of-Judges-declines-to-appoint-member-jail-location.pdf source PDF]]

	*'''2026-06-11 Jail site working group.''' The Monroe County council and Bloomington city council meet jointly at the historic courthouse and form a public working group, naming Sydney Zulich and Liz Feitl as their designees, to recommend a new county jail location within a month after two county council rejections of the North Park site and expiration of the ACLU jail settlement. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/city-county-officials-launch-working-group-to-recommend-new-jail-site-inside-of-a-month/ BSB coverage]]		*'''2026-06-11 Jail site working group.''' The Monroe County council and Bloomington city council meet jointly at the historic courthouse and form a public working group, naming Sydney Zulich and Liz Feitl as their designees, to recommend a new county jail location within a month after two county council rejections of the North Park site and expiration of the ACLU jail settlement. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/city-county-officials-launch-working-group-to-recommend-new-jail-site-inside-of-a-month/ BSB coverage]]

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	* '''2026-02-24 Current facility status.''' The county council adopt a 6–0 resolution, with Marty Hawk absent, committing to fund a new jail for constitutional care while stating that the council no longer wishes to consider North Park; Peter Iversen’s motion to remove the North Park clause fails 2–4, with Iversen and Kate Wiltz voting yes. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-24-county-council-jail-resolution-adopted.pdf copy of council resolution]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/monroe-county-council-adopts-jail-resolution-reaffirms-no-to-north-park-confronts-tighter-financing-limits/ BSB coverage]]		* '''2026-02-24 Current facility status.''' The county council adopt a 6–0 resolution, with Marty Hawk absent, committing to fund a new jail for constitutional care while stating that the council no longer wishes to consider North Park; Peter Iversen’s motion to remove the North Park clause fails 2–4, with Iversen and Kate Wiltz voting yes. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-24-county-council-jail-resolution-adopted.pdf copy of council resolution]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/monroe-county-council-adopts-jail-resolution-reaffirms-no-to-north-park-confronts-tighter-financing-limits/ BSB coverage]]

			* '''2026-02-11 Jail discussions.''' The Monroe County circuit court board of judges tells Monroe County commissioners and councilors it will step back from meetings on correctional and court facilities because decisions about the Zietlow Justice Building are fiscal and executive in nature, while reaffirming the court’s desire to be co-located with the future jail. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-11-Monroe-County-Board-of-Judges-letter-on-jail-discussions.pdf copy of letter]]

	* '''2026-01-22 Current facility status.''' In a joint meeting, councilors and commissioners agree that the downtown jail does not provide constitutional care, does not reflect community values, and cannot realistically be renovated, making “clear movement” before the April 15 ACLU deadline their immediate priority. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/jail-update-monroe-county-elected-officials-working-on-clear-movement-plan-as-april-15-aclu-deadline-nears/ BSB coverage]]		* '''2026-01-22 Current facility status.''' In a joint meeting, councilors and commissioners agree that the downtown jail does not provide constitutional care, does not reflect community values, and cannot realistically be renovated, making “clear movement” before the April 15 ACLU deadline their immediate priority. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/jail-update-monroe-county-elected-officials-working-on-clear-movement-plan-as-april-15-aclu-deadline-nears/ BSB coverage]]

Bloomington Convention Center (formerly Monroe Convention Center)

Chronically Dave — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:30:57 GMT

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	=== '''Timeline: Bloomington Convention Center''' ===		=== '''Timeline: Bloomington Convention Center''' ===
	=== 2026 ===		=== 2026 ===

			* '''2026-06-18 Seminary Pointe land swap.''' Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson issues a news release saying College Square remains an ideal convention center hotel site, invites the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board or its hotel developer to submit an RDC-process proposal that could include a land exchange, and says preserving Seminary Pointe’s 29 affordable units would require a qualified owner or developer, not a land exchange alone. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-18-College-Square-Seminary-Pointe-land-swap-Bloomington-mayor-Kerry-Thomson.pdf copy of news release]]

			* '''2026-06-17 Seminary Pointe host hotel schedule.''' Monroe County’s Capital Improvement Board reviews a Seminary Pointe host-hotel selection schedule with proposals due June 30, special meetings July 1 and July 8, and a July 15 target for choosing a developer, while CIB president John Whikehart says the board does not intend to answer Bloomington RDC’s July 20 College Square offering, making a Seminary Pointe-for-College Square land swap less likely. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-18-College-Square-Seminary-Pointe-land-swap-Bloomington-mayor-Kerry-Thomson.pdf copy of news release]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/hotel-timeline-narrows-window-for-seminary-pointe-land-swap-in-downtown-bloomington/#ghost-comments-6a345be9aeefd9000145dab1 BSB coverage]]

	* '''2026-06-11 Demolition-delay review.''' Demolition notices posted June 10 on the Seminary Pointe block trigger Bloomington’s 90-day demolition-delay review, while housing advocates continue to press for a Monroe County Capital Improvement Board (CIB)–Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC) land swap to preserve affordable apartments and community businesses instead of clearing the site for a host hotel. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/seminary-pointe-demolition-clock-starts-as-downtown-bloomington-land-swap-hopes-continue/ BSB coverage]]		* '''2026-06-11 Demolition-delay review.''' Demolition notices posted June 10 on the Seminary Pointe block trigger Bloomington’s 90-day demolition-delay review, while housing advocates continue to press for a Monroe County Capital Improvement Board (CIB)–Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC) land swap to preserve affordable apartments and community businesses instead of clearing the site for a host hotel. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/seminary-pointe-demolition-clock-starts-as-downtown-bloomington-land-swap-hopes-continue/ BSB coverage]]

Monroe County Jail

Chronically Dave — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:54:54 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 12 June 2026
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	=== 2026 ===		=== 2026 ===
			*'''2026-06-11 Jail site working group.''' The Monroe County council and Bloomington city council meet jointly at the historic courthouse and form a public working group, naming Sydney Zulich and Liz Feitl as their designees, to recommend a new county jail location within a month after two county council rejections of the North Park site and expiration of the ACLU jail settlement. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/city-county-officials-launch-working-group-to-recommend-new-jail-site-inside-of-a-month/ BSB coverage]]

	* '''2026-06-08 Litigation.''' Federal judge orders ''Richardson v. Monroe County Sheriff'' dismissed. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-08-Richardson-v-Monroe-County-Sheriff-Final-Order-Dismissing-Action-073111833190.pdf copy of court's order]]		* '''2026-06-08 Litigation.''' Federal judge orders ''Richardson v. Monroe County Sheriff'' dismissed. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-08-Richardson-v-Monroe-County-Sheriff-Final-Order-Dismissing-Action-073111833190.pdf copy of court's order]]

Bloomington Convention Center (formerly Monroe Convention Center)

Chronically Dave — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:14:16 GMT

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Kirkwood Avenue Closures

Chronically Dave — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:45:03 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:45, 11 June 2026
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			*'''2026-06-10 Kirkwood Avenue seasonal closure.''' Bloomington City Council votes 5–4 to require the first five blocks of Kirkwood Avenue, from Indiana Avenue to Walnut Street, to close to vehicular traffic from April 1 to Nov. 15 each year starting in 2027, despite administration opposition. Mayor Kerry Thomson could either sign or veto the ordinance. [[https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/16960/download#page=205 copy of ordinance]] [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-03-carless-Kirkwood-administration-memo-Knapp-Kupersmith-Rice-Cibor.pdf copy of memo]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-council-votes-5-4-to-codify-permanent-seasonal-kirkwood-closure/ BSB coverage]]

			* '''2026-06-09 Car-free Kirkwood transportation commission recommendation.''' Bloomington’s transportation commission votes 5–1, with John Connell dissenting, to reject staff findings and forward a positive recommendation on Kate Rosenbarger and Courtney Daily’s ordinance to close Kirkwood Avenue from Indiana Avenue to Walnut Street to car traffic from April through mid-November each year. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2019-07-08-City-of-Bloomington-2019-Transportation-Plan.pdf#page=68 copy of transportation plan]] [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-09-download-Bloomington-comprensive-plan-Accessiblity_update_-_Adopted_Final_2018__Updated_Res_13_11.pdf#page=74 copy of comprehensive plan]] [[https://library.municode.com/in/bloomington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.02BOCO_2.02.100TRCO municipal code]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-transportation-commission-backs-car-free-kirkwood-ordinance-despite-staff-findings/ BSB coverage]]

			*'''2026-06-03 Carless Kirkwood postponement.''' The Bloomington City Council postpones until June 10 a vote on an ordinance to make five blocks of Kirkwood Avenue, from Indiana Avenue to Walnut Street, carless from April to mid-November each year, after council president Isak Asare and council attorney Larry Allen say BMC 2.02.100(d)(2) requires Transportation Commission review first; Andy Ruff dissents on the postponement. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-03-carless-Kirkwood-administration-memo-Knapp-Kupersmith-Rice-Cibor.pdf copy of memo]] [[https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/16910/download#page=61 copy of ordinance]] [[https://library.municode.com/in/bloomington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.02BOCO_2.02.100TRCO city code provision]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-council-delays-vote-on-carless-kirkwood-vote-until-june-10-after-commission-review/ BSB coverage]]

	* '''2026-05-13''' First "Family Night Out" event is held, with face painting, other activities, music, on the block of Kirkwood between Lincoln Street and Grant Streets, thes same block as the the Monroe County Public Library. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/kids-on-kirkwood-bloomingtons-townie-summer-begins-with-block-party-for-families/ B Square coverage]]		* '''2026-05-13''' First "Family Night Out" event is held, with face painting, other activities, music, on the block of Kirkwood between Lincoln Street and Grant Streets, thes same block as the the Monroe County Public Library. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/kids-on-kirkwood-bloomingtons-townie-summer-begins-with-block-party-for-families/ B Square coverage]]

Bloomington Annexation

Chronically Dave — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:26:33 GMT

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			* '''2026-06-05 Trial on the merits: Annexation legal fees.''' Monroe Circuit Court special judge Nathan Nikirk hears 45 minutes of arguments on the remaining legal-fee question after Bloomington’s failed Areas 1A and 1B annexations, with outside counsel for the city, attorneys Stephen Unger and Andrew McNeil, arguing for a $37,500 statutory cap and remonstrators’ attorney William Beggs seeking $199,441.98 before Nikirk takes the matter under advisement and sets a July 8 deadline for proposed orders. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-05-annexation-Bloomington-attorney-fees-Amended-Petition-for-Attorney-Fees.pdf copy of amended fee request]] [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-06-05-Joint-Sitpulations-annexation-Bloomington-attorney-fees.pdf copy of joint stipulations]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-argues-37-500-cap-on-legal-fees-in-annexation-loss-remonstrators-seek-200k/ source article]]
	* '''2026-02-10 Trial on the merits.''' Indiana Supreme Court declines to accept transfer of Bloomington’s appeal, leaving in place the Court of Appeals decision blocking annexation of Areas 1A and 1B. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-10-Order-denying-transfer-Area-1A-Area-1B-Transfer.pdf copy of order]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-case-bloomingtons-annexation-defeat-in-two-areas-now-final/ BSB coverage]]		* '''2026-02-10 Trial on the merits.''' Indiana Supreme Court declines to accept transfer of Bloomington’s appeal, leaving in place the Court of Appeals decision blocking annexation of Areas 1A and 1B. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-10-Order-denying-transfer-Area-1A-Area-1B-Transfer.pdf copy of order]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-case-bloomingtons-annexation-defeat-in-two-areas-now-final/ BSB coverage]]

Hopewell Neighborhood (IU Health hospital redevelopment project)

Chronically Dave — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:27:40 GMT

2022

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Monroe County Jail

Chronically Dave — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:47:36 GMT

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Bloomington Annexation

Chronically Dave — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:08:43 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:08, 5 June 2026
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	=== Latest ===		=== Latest ===
	* '''2026-02-10 Trial on the merits.''' Indiana Supreme Court declines to accept transfer of Bloomington’s appeal, leaving in place the Court of Appeals decision blocking annexation of Areas 1A and 1B. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-10-Order-denying-transfer-~~annexation~~-~~areas~~-1A-1B.pdf copy of order]]		* '''2026-02-10 Trial on the merits.''' Indiana Supreme Court declines to accept transfer of Bloomington’s appeal, leaving in place the Court of Appeals decision blocking annexation of Areas 1A and 1B. [[https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-02-10-Order-denying-transfer-Area-1A-Area-1B-Transfer.pdf copy of order]] [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-case-bloomingtons-annexation-defeat-in-two-areas-now-final/ BSB coverage]]

	* '''2025-10-30 Constitutional question.''' Indiana Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Bloomington’s constitutional annexation challenge to 2019 state law. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/indiana-supreme-court-hears-bloomingtons-constitutional-annexation-challenge-over-voided-remonstration-waivers/ BSB coverage] ]		* '''2025-10-30 Constitutional question.''' Indiana Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Bloomington’s constitutional annexation challenge to 2019 state law. [[https://bsquarebulletin.com/indiana-supreme-court-hears-bloomingtons-constitutional-annexation-challenge-over-voided-remonstration-waivers/ BSB coverage] ]