Sign in Subscribe

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 new non-consensual towing ordinance to get more scrutiny, possible revisions before adoption by city council

Bloomington’s new non-consensual towing ordinance to get more scrutiny, possible revisions before adoption by city council

On Wednesday night, the Bloomington city council’s committee of the whole voted 0–8 on a recommendation to adopt a new non-consensual towing ordinance . That doesn’t kill the legislation. But the implication of the 0–8 tally is that the council is almost certain to postpone consideration

Legal wrangling on eminent domain for 4th Street parking garage continues as Bloomington disputes landowner’s objections on grounds of funding, design

Legal wrangling on eminent domain for 4th Street parking garage continues as Bloomington disputes landowner’s objections on grounds of funding, design

On Tuesday, Bloomington filed its latest brief with the Monroe County circuit court in its attempt to use eminent domain to acquire the 222 S. Walnut building that houses Juan Carlos Carrasquel’s real estate business. The city wants to use the lot where the 222 Hats building stands, just

Bus ridership up 1.75% over last year as transit board mulls tweaks to proposed new routes, how to court Bloomington city council on key policy changes

Bus ridership up 1.75% over last year as transit board mulls tweaks to proposed new routes, how to court Bloomington city council on key policy changes

Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting of the Bloomington Transit (BT) board delivered a bright spot of news. The 3.16 million rides taken on fixed route buses in 2019 reflect a 1.75-percent increase over the total from 2018. As BT general manager Lew May noted, it’s the

Owners of demolished house fight Bloomington’s $83.5K fine two ways: Court action, appeal to BZA

Owners of demolished house fight Bloomington’s $83.5K fine two ways: Court action, appeal to BZA

After the owners of a house on West 7th Street demolished it last year, the city of Bloomington imposed an $83,500 fine—for not first getting a certificate of zoning compliance. Before the house was demolished, it was reviewed for possible historic designation. According to city officials, it was

City council land use committee: Mixed-use development with 344 bedrooms, 19K square feet of commercial space needs second meeting

City council land use committee: Mixed-use development with 344 bedrooms, 19K square feet of commercial space needs second meeting

Last Wednesday, the Bloomington city council’s four-member land use committee met to review a planned unit development (PUD) proposed for the empty lot on the north side of the Longview Avenue, between Pete Ellis Drive and 7th Street. The zoning proposal from Curry Urban Properties would allow for

2020 Local Primaries: Few contested primary races so far with 3 weeks to go for candidate filings

2020 Local Primaries: Few contested primary races so far with 3 weeks to go for candidate filings

Since Jan. 8, the first day that declarations of candidacy could be filed this year for primary nominations, a dozen or so people have filed their paperwork for offices in the Monroe County area. Candidates have until noon Feb. 7 to file a declaration. At least one primary race will

Monroe County councilor on possible local income tax increase: “This was not anything proposed by the county.”

Monroe County councilor on possible local income tax increase: “This was not anything proposed by the county.”

Bloomington’s mayor, John Hamilton, made a New Year’s Day announcement that he wanted to see an additional 0.5 percent in local income tax collected countywide. Hamilton wants to spend the extra portion of tax money allocated to Bloomington on climate action. Under the current state statute, Bloomington’