May 25, 2026: MCCSC staff cuts, airport sewer expansion, Cottage Grove conservation, Seminary Pointe leases, Kirkwood closure fight

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle is a jigsaw. It is related to the convention center expansion. Did you ever wonder what the fifth proposal for public art looked like? Complete the jigsaw puzzle to find out!

Weather Talk

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

Monday: Slow down. There will be patchy fog before 9 a.m. After that, put on your sunglasses and roll up your sleeves to stay cool the rest of the day, because the high will hit 79F°

Tuesday: No need for jackets or umbrellas early on. But deal with all your outdoor stuff early in the day, because there’s a small chance of showers and thunderstorms starting around 2 p.m. But it’s only around a 30% chance. The high will hit 81F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• MCCSC board advances staff reductions, cell phone ban, gets update about online school.  The MCCSC board approved staffing changes tied to its 2-year fiscal recovery plan, including one reduction in force that prompted tense public comment from a student. Trustees also advanced a new cell phone policy, approved anti-harassment revisions, reviewed online school growth.
• Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish.  Think about this: Why was a skywalk between Rainbow Bakery and the Fourth And Rogers Contemporary Art Center ultimately rejected? Hawk and Fish have the answer!
• Monroe County property transfers through May 21, 2026.  This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from April 6 to May 21, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
• New Bloomington sewer policy targets ‘strategic’ sites like airport property.  A quiet policy change by Bloomington’s utilities service board in January is now emerging as part of the city’s economic development strategy. Officials say extending sewer service to select “strategic” sites, like the county airport, could help attract employers and major investment.
• Seminary Pointe tenants get more time as Bloomington Convention Center host hotel moves ahead.  Monroe County’s capital improvement board extended leases for remaining Seminary Pointe tenants while advancing appraisal, environmental, and demolition work tied to a future convention center host hotel. Housing advocates continue pushing a land-swap alternative.
• Cottage Grove conservation district OK’d by Bloomington city council on 7–1 vote.  Bloomington’s city council voted 7–1 to establish the Cottage Grove conservation district, adding historic protections the central Bloomington area. Supporters said it could slow teardowns and preserve neighborhood character. Opponents warned it would constrain housing supply and raise costs.
• Kirkwood proposal, power struggle over Bloomington streets, cued up for June 3.  Bloomington’s city council introduced an ordinance that would close five blocks of Kirkwood Avenue to vehicles each year from April through mid-November. The proposal revived disputes over accessibility, logistics, and which branch of city government controls Bloomington streets.

On the calendar

North Park purchase agreement for jail. Appearing again on the 5:30 p.m. agenda for the Monroe County council on Tuesday (May 26) is a purchase agreement for the North Park property for use as a jail and justice center complex. For B Square coverage of the first vote (in the current round) on the purchase agreement see B Square coverage: Final North Park jail showdown set for May 26 after Monroe County council’s 1–5 vote fails

Settlement in drinking water rate case? No agenda is posted yet for the 5:15 p.m. Tuesday (May 26) meeting of Bloomington’s utilities service board (USB), which follows a USB executive session at 5 p.m. But it seems pretty likely that it will deal with the May 14 settlement agreement that was reached with the interveners in Bloomington’s proposed increase to drinking water rates. The chart below compares current rates (green) with Bloomington’s proposal (orange) and the settlement agreement (purple).

Ellettsville-Richland reorganization meeting. Set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday (May 27) is a hearing on the potential reorganization of the Town of Ellettsville and Richland Township on the question of forming a single governmental unit. This Wednesday’s hearing will be followed by two additional hearings on June 10 and June 22 with a possible vote by the Town Council and Richland Township board to adopt, amend or reject the reorganization plan. If adopted, it would appear on the Nov. 3 ballot as a referendum item. For B Square background, see: Committee vote on reorg plan for Ellettsville and Richland Township sets stage for possible Nov. 3 ballot placement

No county commissioners meeting this week. The regular meeting of the Monroe County commissioners has been cancelled for Thursday (May 28).

Garden Walk: June 7. The Bloomington Garden Club will host its 37th annual Summer Garden Walk on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, June 7, from noon to 4 p.m. The self-guided tour will feature six private gardens around Bloomington, along with a flower show at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center. You can buy $10 tickets are from local vendors, with proceeds supporting children’s gardening education programs and other local beautification projects.

Meet Milo!

This very, very good boy is a bluetick coonhound mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written for Milo:

Hi! My name is Milo and I love life!!!! I am a handsome bluetick hound dog and I really love to go on walks. I also know how to sit. I love treats and I ride well in the car and I get along with dogs! Come check me out today!!!

Photo Finish: Morton Street & 6th Street

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

Thanks for reading. I hope your week is off to a great start!

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

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