Bloomington Indiana
Model train layout for 1940's Monon Lafayette to Greencastle to Bloomington. The good old days! [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#trains](https://hoosier.social/tags/trains) [https://www.trains.com/mrr/how-to/track-plan-database/the-s-scale-chicago-indianapolis-louisville-layout/](https://www.trains.com/mrr/how-to/track-plan-database/the-s-scale-chicago-indianapolis-louisville-layout/)
Washington Street traffic calming Bloomington's Washington Street is getting some speed humps and some twiddling of the parking. I suggested they might consider a parking-protected bike lane, but I suspect restriping is out-of-scope here. Leave your feedback here: [https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/washington](https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/washington) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#cycling](https://hoosier.social/tags/cycling)
I just added some max\_speed= tags for [#OpenStreetMap](https://urbanists.social/tags/OpenStreetMap) in Bloomington, Indiana. Our city code has a default speed limit 25 mph. Exceptions are published in a table in the city code. It seems possible that adding the correct lower-than-default speed limits from city code to OpenStreetMap could reduce the likelihood that routing algorithms would route car traffic there, which could in turn keep the street safer for other road users. Ref: [https://library.municode.com/in/bloomington/codes/code\_of\_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15VETR\_CH15.24SPRE](https://library.municode.com/in/bloomington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15VETR_CH15.24SPRE) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
This are the designed, protected routes in Bloomington currently mapped in [#OpenStreetMap](https://urbanists.social/tags/OpenStreetMap) The newer 7-Line is notably absent. And that disconnect bit up north? Those are the trails in Cascades Park. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
How cities can use shared micromobility data for transportation planning and policy This study, focused on Bloomington and Washington, D.C, gleaned insights on micromobility from Lime trip data. (Bloomington's response was to summarily throw Lime out on their micromobile ear, for some reason. I do not understand this.) "About a quarter of street segments have bike infrastructure, yet these lanes account for nearly 60% of Lime trips." [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#cycling](https://hoosier.social/tags/cycling) [https://bikeleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/League-of-American-Bicyclists-Mobility-Insights-Competition-2024-Report-3.pdf](https://bikeleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/League-of-American-Bicyclists-Mobility-Insights-Competition-2024-Report-3.pdf)
Advertisements on the outside of city buses? A lot of interest in this article about whether buses should have full-wrapped ads. There's no bus that comes within a mile of my house, so I'm not too concerned one way or the other. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#bus](https://hoosier.social/tags/bus) [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/09/19/whose-bus-is-that-bloomington-transit-mulls-ads/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/09/19/whose-bus-is-that-bloomington-transit-mulls-ads/)
Fullerton Pike construction almost complete "This third phase spans 1.25 miles of road construction from Rockport Road to the roundabout on South Rogers Street. Ultimately, it will form a new connection to I-69 in the southwest part of the county." Cost was projected to be about $15 million dollars back in 2019. I wonder how well they kept it under budget? [https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/fullerton-pike-connection-approaches-completion.php](https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/fullerton-pike-connection-approaches-completion.php) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
N Dunn St Multiuse Path Oh, this will make my commute way easier! A few years from construction though. "This project has been prioritized by the Metropolitan Planning Organization to receive federal funding supporting construction of a multiuse path on North Dunn Street from the Indiana 45 Bypass to East Clover Lane. As funding allows, the project may include additional multiuse path construction north of these limits." [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#MUP](https://hoosier.social/tags/MUP) [https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/northdunnpath](https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/northdunnpath)
Skywalk a controversy in new convention center What do we think about this, urbanists? Is this really a deal breaker? "The design should not include ‘skywalk’ connections …, which would limit convention attendee opportunities to interact with and patronize downtown businesses. Skywalks would also undermine the quality of public space in the downtown, in contradiction to city plans and goals." [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#UrbanPlanning](https://urbanists.social/tags/UrbanPlanning) [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/09/05/convention-center-expansion-takes-steps-ahead-with-sharp-words-from-2-bloomington-councilmembers/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/09/05/convention-center-expansion-takes-steps-ahead-with-sharp-words-from-2-bloomington-councilmembers/)
How should parking be priced in college towns? "These places also sometimes experience surges in demand for access to the central area that are seasonal or otherwise cyclical. In the summer, they are surreal—all or most of the amenities intended for a larger, denser population with far fewer people competing for them. Football Saturdays present the opposite problem: the city’s population may double half a dozen days a year" [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#parking](https://urbanists.social/tags/parking) [#transit](https://urbanists.social/tags/transit) [https://gregshill.substack.com/p/how-should-parking-be-priced-in-college](https://gregshill.substack.com/p/how-should-parking-be-priced-in-college)
A new little farmstand near my house. Drop by! Payment is on the honor system. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Prebys Amphitheatre available again This is a small event space they set up next to the President's house in 2015, but it's been unavailable since Pamela Whitten moved in. No one knows why. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#IndianaUniversity](https://hoosier.social/tags/IndianaUniversity) [https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/prebys-amphitheatre-available-again.php](https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/prebys-amphitheatre-available-again.php)
Indiana Avenue design update Looks like it will be one-way with a two-way protected bike lane. I submitted some comments: "I'm not sure it was a good idea to make concessions to the firefighters and remove the bike lane barriers. Generally less than 5% of all fire runs are actual fires; mostly medical emergencies and false alarms that don't require using a 40-foot truck to respond. They might consider purchasing some smaller vehicles for these runs." [https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/indiana](https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/indiana) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
YIMBYana Press Release: Opposition to Green Acres Conservation District Proposal "The group is concerned that the proposal will limit new infill housing in Green Acres, a neighborhood close to Indiana University’s campus, thereby increasing housing costs and reducing availability. This could force students and other residents to seek housing further from campus, exacerbating affordability and accessibility issues" [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#Housing](https://hoosier.social/tags/Housing) [#UrbanPlanning](https://hoosier.social/tags/UrbanPlanning) [https://bloomingtonian.com/2024/08/08/yimbyana-press-release-opposition-to-green-acres-conservation-district-proposal/](https://bloomingtonian.com/2024/08/08/yimbyana-press-release-opposition-to-green-acres-conservation-district-proposal/)
Officials gathering input on 2050 transportation plan for Bloomington area "The initiative is meant to identify ways in which the area’s transportation system can be improved over the next 25 years and beyond. The BMCMPO will use public input to determine how to best allocate federal transportation funding" [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#UrbanPlannng](https://hoosier.social/tags/UrbanPlannng) [https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/officials-gathering-feedback-on-2050-transportation-plan-for-bloomington-area.php](https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/officials-gathering-feedback-on-2050-transportation-plan-for-bloomington-area.php)
Indana Avenue design suggestions released Either a two-way street with painted bike lanes, or one-way for cars and two-way, semiprotected bike lanes. Not sure I care since the difference is mostly how it's painted, but I'd really like to see Kirkwood and Dunn closed to traffic, and Indiana would have to be two-way to allow for that. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#cycling](https://hoosier.social/tags/cycling) [#bikelanes](https://hoosier.social/tags/bikelanes) [https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/indiana](https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/indiana)
Bloomington 4th on Most Improved Cities for Biking list "In 2023, Bloomington reduced speed limits for all neighborhood streets to 25 miles per hour, contributing to a 17-point increase in its City Ratings score. In recent years, Bloomington also expanded its network of neighborhood greenways and constructed numerous road-adjacent shared-use paths and protected bike lanes like the 7-Line." [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#cycling](https://hoosier.social/tags/cycling) [#UrbanPlanning](https://hoosier.social/tags/UrbanPlanning) [https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/2024s-most-improved-cities-for-biking](https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/2024s-most-improved-cities-for-biking)
Wouldn't it be nice if the process for safety improvements was as simple as the process for street maintenance? Compare them: [http://blog.benfulton.net/2024/06/wouldnt-it-be-nice-if-process-for.html](http://blog.benfulton.net/2024/06/wouldnt-it-be-nice-if-process-for.html) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#UrbanPlanning](https://hoosier.social/tags/UrbanPlanning)
Indiana Avenue redesign So I did go to the Indiana Avenue public meeting, but they didn't have any concrete plans to share. They did have a cool model to play with, though 😀 I'm always there to tell them to build more bike infrastructure, but there's a dull sameness to these meetings. A lot of people on bikes agreeing with me and a few people to complain about losing parking and bikers not stopping for stop signs. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#biketooter](https://hoosier.social/tags/biketooter) [#UrbanPlanning](https://hoosier.social/tags/UrbanPlanning)
Bike/Ped Commission meeting tonight Zooming into the meeting, mostly to hear about Indiana Avenue. First up, though, is a review of the ADA Transition Plan. Comments seem mostly positive, commissioners are worried about several engineering issues rather than planning. Public Comment: Eric Ost thinks we aren't doing enough due diligence on prioritizing projects. Thinks we spend too much on cycling and not enough on ADA. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Bloomington City Council Agenda June 12, 2024 [https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-city-council-agenda-june-12-2024/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-city-council-agenda-june-12-2024/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN)
Column: Farting around Kirkwood Avenue, the right hand of Kurt Vonnegut, fighting robots over donuts [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/09/column-farting-around-kirkwood-avenue-the-right-hand-of-kurt-vonnegut-fighting-robots-over-donuts/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/09/column-farting-around-kirkwood-avenue-the-right-hand-of-kurt-vonnegut-fighting-robots-over-donuts/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
New jail location: Monroe County OKs Phase 2 enviro study, hears opposition from Ellettsville [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/08/new-jail-location-monroe-county-oks-phase-2-enviro-study-hears-opposition-from-ellettsville/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/08/new-jail-location-monroe-county-oks-phase-2-enviro-study-hears-opposition-from-ellettsville/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Bloomington city council adopts letter to capital improvement board on convention center project [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/07/bloomington-city-council-adopts-letter-to-capital-improvement-board-on-convention-center-project/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/07/bloomington-city-council-adopts-letter-to-capital-improvement-board-on-convention-center-project/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Washington and Bloomington Work With Lime on Mobility "The Mobility Insights Competition was designed to select two communities to better understand their biking issues, including equity and safety...Bloomington’s application charted a plan to use shared micromobility data to help with the city’s first Safe Streets for All Action Plan." [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [#UrbanPlanning](https://hoosier.social/tags/UrbanPlanning) [#bikeshare](https://hoosier.social/tags/bikeshare) [https://www.govtech.com/transportation/washington-d-c-bloomington-ind-work-with-lime-on-mobility](https://www.govtech.com/transportation/washington-d-c-bloomington-ind-work-with-lime-on-mobility)
2024 election notebook: June 20 school board candidate filing deadline [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/06/2024-election-notebook-june-20-school-board-candidate-filing-deadline/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/06/2024-election-notebook-june-20-school-board-candidate-filing-deadline/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Bloomington city council OKs uniform 3-minute time at public mic, adopts policy to remove rule breakers [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/05/bloomington-city-council-oks-uniform-3-minute-time-at-public-mic-adopts-policy-to-remove-rule-breakers/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/05/bloomington-city-council-oks-uniform-3-minute-time-at-public-mic-adopts-policy-to-remove-rule-breakers/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Bloomington city council letter looms, CIB wraps up convention center construction manager interviews [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/04/bloomington-city-council-letter-looms-cib-wraps-up-convention-center-construction-manager-interviews/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/04/bloomington-city-council-letter-looms-cib-wraps-up-convention-center-construction-manager-interviews/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Solar panel design work OK’d for The Forge, recertification from state for Bloomington’s technology park [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/03/solar-panel-design-work-okd-for-the-forge-recertification-from-state-for-bloomingtons-technology-park/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/03/solar-panel-design-work-okd-for-the-forge-recertification-from-state-for-bloomingtons-technology-park/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Monroe County jail notebook: 1 year of data shows releases at all times of day, night [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/02/monroe-county-jail-notebook-1-year-of-data-shows-releases-at-all-times-of-day-night/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/02/monroe-county-jail-notebook-1-year-of-data-shows-releases-at-all-times-of-day-night/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Bloomington City Council Agenda June 5, 2024 [https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-city-council-agenda-june-5-2024/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-city-council-agenda-june-5-2024/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN) [#CityCouncil](https://mastodon.social/tags/CityCouncil) [#Agenda](https://mastodon.social/tags/Agenda) [#SpeakingRules](https://mastodon.social/tags/SpeakingRules) [#Pets](https://mastodon.social/tags/Pets) [#Budgeting](https://mastodon.social/tags/Budgeting)
Attorney General Todd Rokita Tells Monroe County to Rescind ‘Sanctuary City’ Policies "Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a threat to local officials in Monroe County, home to the city of Bloomington, along with several other Indiana localities: rescind “sanctuary city” policies or face legal action starting July 1." Todd Rokita is an awful person. [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [https://bloomingtonian.com/2024/05/31/attorney-general-todd-rokita-tells-monroe-county-to-rescind-sanctuary-city-policies/](https://bloomingtonian.com/2024/05/31/attorney-general-todd-rokita-tells-monroe-county-to-rescind-sanctuary-city-policies/)
Scooter data notebook: Bloomington ride numbers show downturn, one vendor leaves [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/01/scooter-data-notebook-bloomington-ride-numbers-show-downturn-one-vendor-leaves/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/06/01/scooter-data-notebook-bloomington-ride-numbers-show-downturn-one-vendor-leaves/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#Scooter](https://mastodon.social/tags/Scooter) [#SharedScooter](https://mastodon.social/tags/SharedScooter) [#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN) [#Lime](https://mastodon.social/tags/Lime) [#Bird](https://mastodon.social/tags/Bird) [#VeoRide](https://mastodon.social/tags/VeoRide) [#Budget](https://mastodon.social/tags/Budget)
Monroe County prosecutor declines to prosecute Dunn Meadow arrestees: [https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2024-05-31-Monroe-County-Prosecutor-Dunn-Meadown-Declines-to-Press-Charges.pdf](https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2024-05-31-Monroe-County-Prosecutor-Dunn-Meadown-Declines-to-Press-Charges.pdf) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in)
Over protest from many employees, Monroe County to change health clinic vendor by Aug. 1 [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/30/over-protest-from-many-employees-monroe-county-to-change-health-clinic-vendor-by-aug-1/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/30/over-protest-from-many-employees-monroe-county-to-change-health-clinic-vendor-by-aug-1/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#MonroeCounty](https://mastodon.social/tags/MonroeCounty) [#Clinic](https://mastodon.social/tags/Clinic) [#HealthCare](https://mastodon.social/tags/HealthCare) [#Employee](https://mastodon.social/tags/Employee) [#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN)
Column: Besides loyalty, what budget outcomes does Bloomington’s city council want to buy? [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/29/column-besides-loyalty-what-budget-outcomes-does-bloomingtons-city-council-want-to-buy/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/29/column-besides-loyalty-what-budget-outcomes-does-bloomingtons-city-council-want-to-buy/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#Budget](https://mastodon.social/tags/Budget) [#Loyalty](https://mastodon.social/tags/Loyalty) [#Outcomes](https://mastodon.social/tags/Outcomes) [#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN) [#CityCouncil](https://mastodon.social/tags/CityCouncil)
Bloomington quietly puts up plans for protected bike lanes on Indiana Avenue [\#cycling](https://hoosier.social/tags/cycling) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/indiana](https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/indiana)
Backlash on Monroe County’s pending decision to change providers of employee health clinic [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/28/backlash-on-monroe-countys-pending-decision-to-change-providers-of-employee-health-clinic/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/28/backlash-on-monroe-countys-pending-decision-to-change-providers-of-employee-health-clinic/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN) [#MonroeCounty](https://mastodon.social/tags/MonroeCounty) [#Health](https://mastodon.social/tags/Health) [#Clinic](https://mastodon.social/tags/Clinic) [#Physician](https://mastodon.social/tags/Physician) [#Nurse](https://mastodon.social/tags/Nurse)
2–2 deadlock on duplex for Bloomington’s board of zoning appeals [https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/27/2-2-deadlock-on-duplex-for-bloomingtons-board-of-zoning-appeals/](https://bsquarebulletin.com/2024/05/27/2-2-deadlock-on-duplex-for-bloomingtons-board-of-zoning-appeals/) [@bloomington\_in](https://midwest.social/c/bloomington_in) [\#BloomingtonIN](https://mastodon.social/tags/BloomingtonIN) [#Zoning](https://mastodon.social/tags/Zoning) [#Duplex](https://mastodon.social/tags/Duplex) [#BoardofZoningAppeals](https://mastodon.social/tags/BoardofZoningAppeals) [#BZA](https://mastodon.social/tags/BZA) [#ConditionalUse](https://mastodon.social/tags/ConditionalUse) [#AllowedUse](https://mastodon.social/tags/AllowedUse)
Bloomington Indiana
!bloomington_in@midwest.socialBloomington Indiana Lemmy! Come stay for the fun, or snark at students, or yell at clouds!