Governor Holcomb looking to return more money to Hoosiers
With the state government of Indiana’s economic status in excellent shape, Governor Holcomb announced that he will call the state Legislature back for a special session in hopes to distribute a billion dollars back into the wallets of Hoosiers. Citing the rising costs of living and skyrocketing inflation, Governor Holcomb wishes to provide those Hoosiers that files tax returns last year with $225 each. This amount is rationalized as the amount of state gas tax rebates for 3 months for the average resident.
This proposed rebate is in addition to the $125 residents have begun to receive from the state through the 2022 Legislature approved automatic taxpayer refund.
City of Bloomington infrastructure updates
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway in Bloomington this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress. City departments coordinate with one another, as well as with private developers, to minimize the impact on Bloomington residents and visitors.
B-Line Trail/Johnson Creamery Smokestack
On June 1st, Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Public Works created a cordoned-off detour, lined with orange barricades, through the southwest part of the parking lot south of City Hall. The detour area is for bicycle and pedestrian traffic only and bypasses the trail closure area to return trail users to the B-Line. This is a public safety precaution due to the need for the repair of the 140-foot-tall Johnson Creamery smokestack, which was determined by inspection on December 14, 2021, to be potentially dangerous. The detour proved to be safe and effective during its first week of use and will remain in place until the safety issues with the smokestack are resolved. The smokestack will not be lowered or removed until August at the earliest.
Farmers’ Market: Bollards at City Hall
Installation of safety bollards on Morton and 8th Streets scheduled for June 6th was postponed due to supplies. These bollards will separate Farmers’ Market customers from vehicle traffic. Once installation begins, it will take up to four days to complete at each entrance. While the Morton side bollards are being installed, access to the City Hall parking lot will be from 8th Street. The closure will then be reversed with access from Morton.
Griffy Lake Accessible Fishing Pier and Loop Trail
Headley Road has re-opened to two-way traffic across the Griffy Lake causeway. While the road has re-opened, there are tasks to finish before the project is complete. Construction continues on the new trail connection at the southern end of the causeway; the new trail remains closed until construction is complete. Crews will work on installing the railings on the steps and ramps to the accessible pier, and also on installing the “kick rail” at the edges of the accessible pier. Pier users should exercise caution in these areas until the final installation is complete.
Rose Hill Cemetery
The paving of interior roads at Rose Hill Cemetery is complete and the cemetery has re-opened to all traffic. Work on the scatter garden is ongoing.
North Walnut Street & 17th Street Lane Closures
The sanitary sewer main work associated with “The Standard” will require a full closure of 17th Street between Walnut Street and College Street from approximately June 8th to June 20th. After the work is completed at 17th Street a single lane closure on North Walnut Street will remain between 15th Street and 17th Street until August 12th. Impacts to the intersection of 17th Street and Walnut Street are being coordinated with the City’s multiuse path project on 17th Street, which currently restricts 17th Street to one-way (eastbound) traffic only between Walnut Street and Dunn Street. The City’s multiuse path project on 17th Street and a private development project located at the intersection of 17th and Lincoln require a full closure of 17th Street between Walnut and Grant during working hours between June 15th and 17th for the installation of new curbs and a water utility connection.
Walnut & 11th – New Traffic Signal
Pavement repairs are planned on Monday, June, 13th at the intersection of Walnut and 11th Streets as a part of the City’s new traffic signal installation project. Due to the location and type of work, the closure is expected to result in a full closure of 11th Street for one day. This new traffic signal and the new signal at Walnut and 14th Streets are on schedule for completion on or before July 29, 2022.
Hidden River Pathway Project
The two-year downtown stormwater infrastructure reconstruction project to prevent flooding during rain events will continue to necessitate lane closures on Grant Street. The City will coordinate with other construction and road projects as they reconstruct 1,829 feet of culverts to protect downtown area residential and commercial buildings.
Street Paving
Paving on South Silver Creek Drive will be complete Thursday. Crews will move to Indiana Avenue from 13th to 17th Streets next week and mill and pave. Concrete crews will be installing ADA-compliant ramps in Gentry Estates ahead of a paving project there.
This Week in Hoosier History
1922 – The Standard Oil Company of Indiana, with hundreds of gas stations throughout the state, advertised its high-grade Red Crown blend at 24.8 cents per gallon. The company, stating that it made 18 kinds of gasoline, said the Red Crown brand “starts easily, gets away quickly, accelerates smoothly, and develops tremendous power and speed.” In today’s dollars, the price would be a little over $4.00 per gallon.
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