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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.

Bloomington’s econ development commish OKs tax abatement report, city council review next

Bloomington’s econ development commish OKs tax abatement report, city council review next

On Friday, Bloomington’s five-member economic development commission (EDC) approved a report from city staff on about a dozen tax abatements that have been granted to companies over the years, as well as a couple of tax abatements that have been approved, but not yet claimed. The pending abatements are

Driver cards for Indiana’s undocumented residents: Bloomington council adds to statewide local support

Driver cards for Indiana’s undocumented residents: Bloomington council adds to statewide local support

On Wednesday night, Bloomington’s city council chambers were packed so tight that the upstairs balcony had to be opened to fit everyone. The big crowd was there for two reasons. First, the council’s meeting was the occasion when Bloomington’s human rights commission announced its annual awards. One

Showers West prep for police, Hopewell owner’s rep: 2 RDC projects take steps forward

Showers West prep for police, Hopewell owner’s rep: 2 RDC projects take steps forward

At its Monday meeting, Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) took incremental steps on two of its projects. First, the RDC approved a $479,000 contract with U3 Advisors to serve as the owner’s representative for the redevelopment of the Hopewell neighborhood—which is the former site of the IU

Lease to housing nonprofit for apartments, daycare on former water tower site OK’d by Bloomington

Lease to housing nonprofit for apartments, daycare on former water tower site OK’d by Bloomington

Just east of the Crestmont neighborhood, on Bloomington’s north side, a new two-story building with three income-restricted apartments on the upper floor, and a licensed daycare facility on the ground floor, could soon start construction. It’s the location of the old water tower at the corner of 14th

Bloomington council set to give symbolic support to driver card legislation for undocumented residents

Bloomington council set to give symbolic support to driver card legislation for undocumented residents

Just one item appears on the Bloomington city council’s regular Wednesday agenda for final action. The council will be asked to vote on a resolution in support of future state legislation that would allow undocumented Hoosier residents to get driver’s cards—which could be used only for the

Miller-Showers showdown: great blue heron versus redwing blackbird

Miller-Showers showdown: great blue heron versus redwing blackbird

Miller-Showers Park, on Bloomington’s north side, is wedged between College Ave and Walnut Street. The public park is home to lots of redwing blackbirds—which will defend their nesting territory in a pretty aggressive way. The B Square got a heads up from a reader that they’ve been

June 5: Monroe County’s new justice finance advisory committee set to meet

June 5: Monroe County’s new justice finance advisory committee set to meet

At its May 23 meeting, the Monroe County council voted unanimously to appoint three of its seven members to a committee it had already created two weeks earlier, on May 9. The committee is supposed to dive into the question of how to pay for new facilities, to address the