Those who care about Bloomington’s history have a few more days to help shape what the city will do to preserve it.
The City of Bloomington is refreshing its 16-year-old Community Preservation Plan. The new plan will assess the city’s historic preservation programs and policies, such as the Funk and Rust grant programs, and make recommendations for identifying historic resources and potential designations.
Residents are encouraged to complete a 15-minute virtual workshop to learn more about existing preservation efforts and share their ideas for what else can be done. Residents can also call (309) 434-2226 to get a paper copy of the workshop.
In-person public input sessions were shifted online after the coronavirus hit.
“We just want to make it as easy as possible for people to participate,” said Bloomington City Planner Katie Simpson.
The workshop serves a dual purpose—providing a primer on current preservation efforts, and asking for feedback. One exercise asks the participant to decide how to spend a pretend $10 between five preservation priorities, such as downtown revitalization and identifying and designating landmarks or historic districts.
One area of emphasis, Simpson said, is gathering information about historically important places to underrepresented or minority communities in Bloomington.
“Whether it’s a church or a synagogue, or a house of somebody who had a significant role in the community’s history. It could be a school, or a landmark,” Simpson said. “We’re looking for that."
The workshop will be available until July 1.
The new Community Preservation Plan is expected to be completed by winter 2020. It’s being guided by consultant The Lakota Group.
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