WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 19th, 2025.
Later in the program, “The Carrot and the Stick” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More after today’s feature report.
That’s Maggie Sullivan from Friends of Lake Monroe. The lake is Bloomington’s primary source of drinking water, but no single entity is responsible for its health. Learn more later in the show in a feature report.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works Approves Kirkwood Dining Plan, Convention Center Expansion, and Infrastructure Projects
The Board of Public Works met on February 10th to talk about multiple issues in the Bloomington community.
First, a resolution for Kirkwood Outdoor Dining was approved. This includes this years’ closing of some roads and all blocks of Kirkwood from Walnut to Indiana. Special Projects Manager, Chaz Mottinger, from the Economic and Sustainable Development Department outlined the resolution.
When asked about the possible traffic that would occur, specifically to the 500th block, Mottinger said that they are looking into solutions to address those concerns.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Next, the Board heard about some possible renovations to the Monroe Convention Center. This includes a new pedestrian sky bridge across College Avenue connecting the current Convention Center to the new Convention Center building. In addition, the renovations would include two limestone blocks being placed at the entrances of the buildings to keep cars and other traffic from entering.
The preliminary plan for these renovations was approved.
The Board also heard a request for a sidewalk, protected bike lane, travel lane, and Alley closure at the Poplar Building as part of the second phase of the Poplar’s redevelopment project. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh, described the request.
Part of the consideration for these closures came from the need of a crane on site. During the closing the bike lane is expected to be rerouted. Signage about the new merging will be put up to alert both cyclists and drivers about the new changes during construction.
The closure for construction will take place from February 17th until November 21st.
The Board also approved the purchase of a new fire engine and the purchase of a new rescue truck.
The next Board of Public Works meeting will be on February 25th, 2025.
Bloomington Commission on Sustainability Welcomes New Member, Advances Code Changes, and Sets Goals for 2025
The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability met on February 11th.
The Commission began by welcoming Chenghuai Xu, a new commissioner that was appointed by the mayor. Currently the commission still has 3 vacant spots open.
The Commission also discussed the Bloomington Municipal Code Title Two changes that they had been previously working towards. These changes included a resolution that supported changes including resiliency be incorporated into the definition of sustainability and that the commission worked with the City of Bloomington Administration instead of the mayor.
Commissioner Matt Austin, with the Waste Management Working Group talked to the group about the approval of a proposal request with Rumpke Waste and Recycling, that would begin in mid June and July. Notably, this includes the new recycling of cartons.
The Commission also discussed working towards new goals within the next year. Commissioner Evan Nix spoke on the goals.
Assistant Director of Sustainability, Shawn Miya, gave updates on the work they have been doing. She shared that they have applied for a grant, and asked the Commission to be a community partner for the Coalition for Green Capital Grant.
The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability will meet again on March 11th.
Feature Report:
Lake Monroe is Bloomington’s primary source of drinking water, but protecting it isn’t straightforward. No single government agency is responsible for its health, leaving management to a mix of federal, state, and private entities. That’s where Friends of Lake Monroe comes in—a volunteer-powered nonprofit working to safeguard this critical resource. Up next, we’ll hear from Maggie Sullivan of Friends of Lake Monroe about the challenges facing the lake. WFHB News Correspondent Luke Vogel takes a closer look in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, “The Carrot and the Stick” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Amelia Bucher and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature report on protecting Lake Monroe was produced by Luke Vogel.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
