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Dave Askins

Dave Askins

Bloomington, Indiana

Dave Askins is editor and publisher of The B Square Bulletin. A Hoosier native with a background in math and linguistics, he previously co-founded the Ann Arbor Chronicle with his wife, Mary Morgan.

No land, no deal: CIB ends current hotel effort, when Bloomington says south parcels will cost

No land, no deal: CIB ends current hotel effort, when Bloomington says south parcels will cost

The Monroe County CIB ended its work with Dora Hospitality to develop a convention center host hotel after learning it cannot secure the needed city-owned land south of the existing convention center. The CIB will now ask the county government about land, as it looks to reset an RFP.

Feb. 5, 2026: Amplify Bloomington, Lee Hamilton, Hopewell, host hotel

Feb. 5, 2026: Amplify Bloomington, Lee Hamilton, Hopewell, host hotel

This edition includes reports on Amplify Bloomington, the death of Lee Hamilton, Hopewell progress, and a preview of the CIB meeting on the convention center host hotel.

Amplify Bloomington launched as ‘civic platform’ for innovation, with Fernandez at the helm

Amplify Bloomington launched as ‘civic platform’ for innovation, with Fernandez at the helm

Amplify Bloomington debuted as a 'civic platform' uniting The Mill, the Trades District, Indiana University, city government, and major employers under one strategy. Led by former mayor John Fernandez, the effort aims to coordinate startups, talent, space and capital.

Gordon sworn in as Perry Township trustee after caucus pick, transition starts

Gordon sworn in as Perry Township trustee after caucus pick, transition starts

Perry Township’s new trustee, Leon Gordon, was sworn in Tuesday at Bloomington city hall after a Democratic Party caucus chose him to replace the late Dan Combs. Gordon is transitioning from New Hope for Families while preparing for the May primary election for trustee.

Lee Hamilton, bipartisan fixture of U.S. foreign affairs policy, proud Hoosier, dies at 94

Lee Hamilton, bipartisan fixture of U.S. foreign affairs policy, proud Hoosier, dies at 94

Lee Hamilton, the southern Indiana Democrat who served 34 years in Congress and later helped lead the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States, has died at 94. A former chair of key House foreign affairs and intelligence panels, he was known for pragmatic, bipartisan leadership.

Hopewell anchors busy February for Bloomington's redevelopment commission

Hopewell anchors busy February for Bloomington's redevelopment commission

Bloomington’s redevelopment commission has a packed February which includes: launch of a process to establish the city’s first residential TIF districts, a second plan commission hearing on Hopewell South, and more—as the city tries to tie financing, zoning and land strategy to housing goals.

RDC bets on Hopewell South engineering as rezone heads back to plan commission for second hearing

RDC bets on Hopewell South engineering as rezone heads back to plan commission for second hearing

Bloomington’s plan commission is likely to vote Feb. 9 on rezoning 6.3 acres of the former IU Health hospital site for the Hopewell South PUD. Meanwhile the Bloomington RDC is already moving a ahead with a $424,000 preliminary engineering contract, OK’d on Monday.