WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 16th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with protestors against the proposal of the Bicentennial Gateway Tower in Millers Showers Park last Tuesday. More in today’s show.
That’s local election volunteer Stacy Williams, putting a call out for poll workers for the upcoming city election. Find out how you can be a part of democracy in action, later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Board of Public Works Keeps Bicentennial Gateway Project on Hold for Third Meeting in a Row
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met for its regular meeting on October 10th. The meeting was irregular in that, for the third meeting in a row, members of the public came to speak in opposition to the Gateway Project.
Once again, the board discussed the lane and sidewalk closure request from Reed and Sons for the Bloomington Gateway Project at Miller Showers Park. The proposed timeline for construction was from October 16, 2023 to January 12, 2024.
Joining the board, Mayor John Hamilton appointed a former city employee, Jane Kupersmith to fill the vacancy left by Jennifer Lloyd when she stepped down in August.
Director of Public Works Adam Wason introduced the request.
During public comment on the lane and sidewalk request, Bloomington Resident and a former President of the Board of Public Works Charlotte Zitlow said that the Gateway Project’s art installation came as a surprise to her, and shared that she thinks its design is an affront to the artist community in Bloomington.
Several other members of the public made comments about the Gateway Project as well.
Board President Kayla Cox Deckard noted that the Board of Public Works is in charge of voting on the right of way permitting for sidewalk and lane closure, and pointed the public to the Board of Parks Commissioners to address the majority of the issues brought up during public comment.
Cox Deckard explained that the coordination between this project, and the corridor study has not been sufficient which has been her main concern with the Gateway Project from the beginning.
Board Member Elizabeth Karon motioned to approve the lane and sidewalk closure request. The motion did not receive a second, and failed, for the second week in a row.
The next Board of Public Works meeting will be held on October 24th.
Protesters Speak Out Against Bicentennial Gateway Tower Proposal
Protesters against the construction of the Bicentennial Gateway tower in Miller-Showers Park demonstrated last Tuesday afternoon at City Hall just before the Department of Public Works meeting.
The meeting had Right of Way approvals on the agenda that would determine whether the installation of the Monolith sign could proceed. The group displayed signs reading “Monumental Failure” and “Hire Local Artists.” Others expressed concerns about light pollution and impacts on wildlife.
One protester, Rob Dybvig, expressed disapproval of the gateway project. He said he wishes the project was more local.
He said he had concerns that there wasn’t enough public input for the monolith nor does he think the design is relevant to the local community.
Another protester, Bob Fayut, said he doesn’t particularly like the design and worries that the lights could impact migrating songbirds.
Fayut believes that the money spent on the structure could be better spent elsewhere.
David Ebbinghouse, another demonstrator, said he’s been following the development of the project in the board of public works. He agreed with other protesters that he didn’t think enough public input was gathered.
About fifteen of the protesters then attended the Public Works meeting, many voicing their concerns, questions and disdain for the half million dollar tower portion of the improvements to be made on Bloomington’s North side.
The Gateway sign is being paid for with part of ten million dollars in bonds, approved by the City Council in 2018 to mark the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Bloomington.
The Public Art projects were put on hold during the height of the Covid Pandemic. No local artists were involved in the design and the Arts Commission weighed in against the proposal, but their assessments were disregarded by the Mayor’s office and the Monolith tower was approved by Parks Commissioners.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins from the B Square Bulletin reports on the Monroe County Community School Corporation referendum which will be on the ballot during the upcoming election. We turn to Askins for more.
Volunteer poll workers are needed to make sure the upcoming municipal election runs smoothly. Poll workers do get paid, but for volunteer Stacee Williams it’s more about a sense of civic duty. Williams talks about democracy in action as our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Zyro Roze, Kade Young and Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
