Dec. 4, 2025: Kirkwood bricks, hotel land, redistricting

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle, included at the end of the bulletin, is another jigsaw. I did this one in 3 minutes and 3 seconds. If you decide to wager with your friends based on your puzzle solving time, please try to keep things friendly.

Weather Talk

Based on the National Weather Service forecast in text and charts here’s some advice.

Thursday: Slow down. Wear a warm coat and hat because the day will start with freezing fog that will make visibility bad and roadways slick. Things will start out cloudy, then turn mostly sunny, with a high near 28F°.

Friday: Wear your warmest coat and hat, because the day will start coming off an overnight low of around 16F°. The day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 35F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system.

Roundup of recent articles

• Brick fix OK’d for Kirkwood Avenue at $491K cost.  Bloomington’s board of public works has opted to repair the iconic brick sidewalks on Kirkwood Avenue, not repour them with stamped concrete, awarding E&B Paving a $491,600 contract to remove trip hazards and stabilize the base. With three additional projects, E&B won $1.18M in city work on Tuesday.
• Bloomington RDC puts off resolution on donating real estate land for host hotel.  Bloomington’s RDC delayed action on a revised resolution that could make the $7M College Square property available at little or no cost for a proposed host hotel. City councilmembers objected, citing past commitments, as doubts persist about Dora Hospitality’s funding gap.
• Analysis: New House map would reduce compactness, reshape Indiana’s political geometry in GOP’s favor.  HB 1032, set for hearing Tuesday, would redraw Indiana’s congressional map mid-decade under pressure from President Trump. The proposal drops compactness scores by half and permits precinct-splitting for 2026. Starting the bill in the House will force Senate Republicans to take a make-or-break vote.

Quick notes

Septic hauling rate increase: Voted down. The Bloomington city council voted down a four-fold increase to the septic hauling rates, even while councilmembers recognize that some increase is needed. They want City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) to come up with a way to distinguish septic tanks that are holding tanks from septic tanks that are connected to a drainage field. For B Square background see: Bloomington eyes big hike in septic disposal fees, would still cover just half the cost.

Towing rate increases: Put off. The Bloomington city council put off votes on increases to towing rates—for city-initiated tows as well as for other non-consensual tows. For B Square background see: Bloomington may increase towing fee limits, end partial payment option, start storage clock quicker.

Bloomington: Not a terrible place. Jordan Davis, who is the host of the “No Dishes” podcast, invited me and my wife, Mary Morgan, for a visit last week. About Bloomington, I had this to say: “It’s not a terrible place to be, and I will fight anybody who says different.” I talked a bit about The B Square. Mary Morgan talked a bit about the nonprofit she leads, called Heading Home. We also talked a bit about food, which is the actual focus of “No Dishes.”

On the calendar

Economic development local income tax (ED LIT). On the Thursday (Dec. 4) work session agenda for Monroe County commissioner is a discussion of the capital improvement plan required for the ED LIT. For B Square background, see: Fallout from North Park jail site vote: Commissioners want huddle with council on ED LIT plan. The work session typically starts after a short break following the regular meeting, which starts at 10 a.m.

Encampment clearance. Possibly getting an update at the Monroe County commissioners meeting on Thursday (Dec. 4) will be the clearance of a planned homeless encampment clearance next week on the Thomson PUD property, which is owned by the county government.

Vote center update. On the 1:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 4) meeting agenda for the Monroe County election board is an update on the question of vote centers. The focus of conversation will likely be the Oct. 31, 2025 report that Indiana secretary of state Diego Morales gave to the state legislature on the topic of vote centers and the timing of municipal elections. For B Square background see: After fiery Monroe County election board meeting, vote centers still nonstarter ‘in the short term’

Dec. 6–9: YMCA Holiday Bazaar. From the organizers: “Browse the Holiday Bazaar at our Southeast Y on December 6, 8, and 9 to find the perfect hand-crafted gifts for your loved ones this holiday season! Hand-knitted and crocheted items, such as scarves, hats, stuffed animals, blankets, and more, will be available for purchase during the bazaar.”

Hours on individual days break down like this: Saturday, Dec. 6: 8 a.m.–noon; Monday, Dec. 8: 8:30 a.m.–noon; Tuesday, Dec. 9: 8:30 a.m.–noon. All items are handmade by the YMCA’s Y Service in Friendship group, which is made up of volunteers. All proceeds benefit the Y for All Scholarship Fund.

Dec. 1: Online auction for “Batman House” ended. The big old mansion at Kirkwood Avenue and Madison Street was up for auction for a minimum bid of $750,000. The auction was conducted online, and it looks like the winning bid was $760,000.

Meet Beau!

This very, very good boy is a mix of Labrador retriever and hound. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Beau:

Beau is a big-hearted dog with a goofy streak and a deep love for plush toys. His favorite activities include chasing a scent, playing fetch and staring lovingly into the eyes of every human he meets. Beautiful Beau: Beau has a gorgeous red-brown coat and the softest ears in the world. His expressive brown eyes and animated tail make it easy to know exactly how he’s feeling. Certified good boy: He’s obedient and attentive, always eager to be a good boy. We don’t quite know his backstory, but he’s clearly been trained and shown plenty of love. He’s potty trained, listens well, and genuinely wants to please. He knows “sit”, “leave it”, and he always comes when he’s called. He’s got that eager-to-learn sparkle in his beautiful brown eyes.

Photo Finish: 4th Street & Walnut Street

Syndicated digital feeds are great for assembling big piles of community events. But posted paper flyers like this one should make you think: A human being took the time to place this with their bare hands in a spot where I would see it as I was going about my regular business. Stop and look at them!

In this case, I recognized the guy in the flyer from two years ago on Christmas Eve. From inside my apartment, I heard what sounded like someone playing Christmas carols on a trombone out on the street. That’s when I first met Vick! From the B Square: Sliding into the holidays: Expectations for Christmas Eve blown away. Luna describes next week’s show at the Blockhouse like this: “Latin Jazz Dance Party with a 20-piece live big band! Featuring the music of Tito Puente, Pérez Prado, and more. Bring them dancing shoes and be ready to dance!”

The Photo Finish items are drawn from the B There section of the B Square website.

Thanks for reading. I hope you you have a great weekend!

Dave Askins
734-645-2633
dave@bsquarebulletin.com

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Civic Solver

Civic Solver turns Bloomington’s everyday civic life into a puzzle worth cracking — from familiar faces to local landmarks. A weekly reason to stay curious: Complete this week’s puzzle.