McDoel Gardens Neighborhood

Switchyard Update, bye bye Upland.

2012-01-19T10:33:00.010-05:00

Sad news for McDoel Gardens, Upland Brewing has changed their plans for their new brewery and have decided not to move into the vacant building on Grimes lane next to the B-line trail. Instead they have decided to open shop on the far west side of Bloomington on Profile Parkway, west of Curry Pike. Doug Dayhoff, president of Upland Brewing was quoted as saying in the Herald Times, “My heart is still with the B-Line; the economics caused a change, we just got a better deal.” Upland plans to sell the building next to the B-line to Storage Express who plans on turning the property into indoor, climate controlled rental storage space.
Good news, the talks are underway for development plans for the 69 acre Switchyard Park surrounding the B-Line. On the list of factors is what to do with coal ash and cinders that blanket the park from its days as a railroad yard. The area will need to be tested for contamination levels and the city may need to remove the toxic soil. Another factor is the park lies in a flood plain. More public meetings are planned this spring and in August. The steering committee is confident that the park will go ahead as planned as soon as obstacles are dealt with.

For up to date information about the park go to http://www.switchyardpark.org

Image courtesy of Herald Times Online.

2011 Fall Leaf Collection

2011-11-14T08:58:00.003-05:00

The City of Bloomington's Street Department has developed a website to tract when they will be picking up leaves in your neighborhood. Here is the link http://bloomington.in.gov/leaves. The site will be updated on a regular basis.

Curbside Pickup: One-pickup Only

Leaves at all residences must be at curb by NOVEMBER 14, 2011.

Each residence will receive one pickup between November 14 - December 30, 2011. (Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 3:00pm)

All leaves must be as close to the curb as possible and may not be in the roadway or around fire hydrants.

Leaves will be vacuumed, so please DO NOT include other waste as it may clog equipment.

In case of inclement weather (snow, ice, etc.) the leaf collection schedule may be modified.
If you have any questions you can email workmand@bloomington.in.gov

McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Association Meeting Thursday, Nov. 3

2011-10-30T13:35:00.003-04:00

The next neighborhood meeting is this Thursday at the McDoel Baptist Church, 1008 S. Rogers at 6:30pm.

Topics are:

McDoel Switchyard Park and B-Line trail.
Dave Williams, Operations and Development Director for the City of Bloomington Parks & Rec. Department, will speak about the upcoming planning process for the future McDoel Switchyard Park. He will also be giving us an update on the B-Line trail.

Plans for S. Rogers St. warehouse renovation.
The former Crosley Building at 1525 S. Rogers is being renovated by NSSX Properties for use as a community activity center. A representative will be at the meeting to outline the plans for the building.

Try to attend if you can. Your views and ideas are important to all of us who live in this great neighborhood.

McDoel Gardens Block Party official invite

2011-10-06T22:28:00.002-04:00

Come Join Your Neighbors at the McDoel Gardens Fall Block Party!

Saturday, October 8th
6 PM to 10 PM
900 Block of S. Madison (just south of Dodds St.)

Some food and drinks will be provided.
*Bring a side dish or a dessert!*
No time to cook or shop? No problem! Just bring your good cheer!
There will be music, kids games, and amusements for all!
**We will be collecting food donations for the Community Kitchen.
We encourage you to bring dry goods or canned goods to donate!**
Questions? Contact Matt Press at 331-8924, or at mattpress@comcast.net

October McDoel Pot luck block party

2011-09-02T16:47:00.005-04:00

Come get to know your neighbors at the McDoel Gardens annual fall block party. Saturday, October 8th, 6-10pm. This event is a pot luck so bring something yummy. The party is on the south side of Dodds and Madison. Invite your friends and show them what a great neighborhood we live in. Come dressed up if you want.

Upland Brewery expansion press release and informal letter

2011-08-18T12:35:00.011-04:00

A link to Upland Brewery's expansion official press release can be found here

Below is a informal letter written by Doug Dayhoff, president of Upland Brewing.

To the Friends and Family of Upland:

Thirteen years ago the Upland Brewing Company launched in an old building which originally stored ice that would be distributed to local homes by horse and cart. In 1998 few people ventured beyond College Ave and Sixth Street, where downtown Bloomington effectively stopped, and Indiana’s entire beer production was measured in the hundreds of barrels. Much has changed since then: the buzz of new construction fills the neighborhood, and Upland alone brews over 10,000 barrels, including Upland Wheat and Dragonfly IPA, two of the best selling craft beers in the state of Indiana.

Through the great recession of the last five years, our sales have tripled. Gigantor, the 150-barrel (nearly 5,000 gallons) fermentation tank installed last fall, was the last tank we could squeeze into our building (and it doesn’t really fit, since it sticks four feet out of the roof). Just six months later we’re having difficulty keeping pace with demand yet again. We owe a tremendous thank you to those who have helped sell and drink all that beer we’ve brewed, and raise a big toast to our fellow brewers who have helped to change the beer culture of an entire state!

A few years ago we bought the adjacent property preparing to build a new brewery beside that historic ice house. But while finalizing plans to expand our current location, we came upon an opportunity to acquire a big but dilapidated building in a neighborhood that looks a lot like 11th Street did 13 years ago – and we couldn’t help but consult the old play book.

Now the plan is to move our production brewery equipment to that new location by next January and install a smaller pilot brewing system in our current location where our Brewpub restaurant will remain. The pilot brewing system will enable us to experiment with new recipes and develop small-batch, specialty beers for limited distribution. The new brewery location will have plenty of room for adding many more tanks, upgrading our bottling and kegging equipment, and storing the tons of hops, malt, and packaging materials that go into our unique beers. We are also very excited to dedicate a space the size of our existing brewery solely to the production of our barrel-aged sour beers, which are regarded as some of the finest American examples of these very old Belgian beer styles.

The new location at 301 West Grimes Avenue sits one mile south of our current location and is adjacent to the new B-Line Trail and a huge brown-field railroad switchyard that the City of Bloomington has targeted for restoration into a beautiful park sometime in the next decade. The building is a monument to 1960’s era industrialization, as it was built as a warehouse for RCA television sets, back in the day when our town was a national hub of domestic TV production.

This dinosaur building covers 47,000 square feet on 1.8 acres. It has no heating, cooling or insulation, and sports little in the way of internal improvements other than a couple toilets. The water utility servicing the building dates to 1929, and the poles running along its east side were installed for telegraph wires, not even telephones. Needless to say, we have our work cut out for us. Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan and the City administration (including economic development, planning, and parks departments) have been very supportive, and the McDoel Gardens neighborhood gave our plans a warm reception.

Of course this vision is subject to regulatory approvals and a herculean amount of work from our team, many of whom already work 55 hours every week. But this extra work will give Caleb and crew the opportunity to layout the new brewery in a way that optimizes quality and efficiency, and few of us in the craft beer industry ever have the opportunity to start from a blank slate twice.

We hope the community will rally around this redevelopment project and support our move. 11th Street will always be the hub of our retail business, and maybe we’ll use the extra space to start a little distilling operation or some other related venture one of these days.

One final request: while Upland and the other members of the craft beer fraternity have grown a tremendous amount in recent years, we are still a rounding error in the overall beer market of Indiana, where craft beer represents less than 2% of the total market. Growing breweries are very capital intensive, and none of us are yet making much of a financial profit (and nearly all of us re-deploy any profits back into more and better equipment). Please continue to support local breweries and encourage your friends to try our beers, too!

/Signed/

Doug Dayhoff

--------------------------------------------------------------

QUOTES FROM DOUG DAYHOFF, UPLAND’S PRESIDENT:

“Upland sales have tripled in the past five years, and this rate of growth has been possible because we have re-invested all profits back into the business, maintained modest salaries (thanks to a staff that is more passionate about quality beer than big paychecks), and squeezed capacity out of our original facilities and equipment in a ‘scrappy’ fashion. However, Indiana’s craft beer sales still lag neighboring Wisconsin and Michigan by many multiples, so it’s great to see new breweries opening and helping to encourage consumers to be thoughtful about drinking locally brewed beers and eating locally grown foods.”

“Upland was a pioneer business in the historic Showers Factory neighborhood 13 years ago, and we’re excited to be a pioneer again along the new B-Line corridor. Hopefully we’ll see a rapid change in the properties adjacent to the trail and an explosion in use of the trail for recreation and commuting – our brewery tours are filled with dozens of tourists every weekend, so we can help draw those people south of downtown too.”

“Compared to the large, multinational corporate beer companies, we think we have a very good track record of producing quality, hand-crafted, flavorful beers that are enjoyed responsibly, and of giving back to our communities, including over $40,000 annually in donations to Indiana’s land trust conservation movement, music and arts, and other non-profit organizations.”

QUOTES FROM CALEB STATON, UPLAND’S HEAD BREWER:

“We have experienced steady growth over the past five years, and the writing was on the wall when the last tank we installed stuck out of the roof by four feet. The decision to move the main brewery to a larger site will enable Upland to grow three fold over the next decade in a comfortable manner, with room to add more equipment, stock and organize more inventory, and install fancy lockers for employees’ brewing boots.”

“The renovations and installation of a smaller pilot brewing system at our original location will give the brewing staff the ability to try out new recipes in small batches for our test market, which has always been right on the other side of the Upland bar. That direct feedback influenced what we brew today, and will continue to help figure out what new beers are developed for our fellow Hoosiers in the future.”

QUOTE FROM WADE SHANOWER, PRESIDENT, BIG RED LIQUORS:

“Big Red was Upland's first wholesale customer, and our sales of their beers have grown every year since. This growth has come about due to the dedication of their staff to making high quality craft beers that lead the way in Indiana. We are excited that they are making a further significant investment in their Bloomington facilities which will benefit the community for many years to come”

QUOTE FROM MARK KRUZAN, MAYOR, CITY OF BLOOMINGTON:

“This business decision to expand brewery operations in this location is the first tangible sign that the City’s efforts to transform the former rail switchyard into our community’s central park will not only produce an unparalleled recreational amenity for our citizens but will also absolutely spur new economic development activity in the area. It’s never easy for the trailblazer, but their success will be the community’s success and so I am thrilled to be working with this homegrown local business to see how the City can help in its growth.”

QUOTE FROM DANISE ALANO-MARTIN, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, CITY OF BLOOMINGTON:

“Upland’s brewery expansion in the former RCA Thomson warehouse will continue the tradition of industrial activity at the site, but will also add a new and exciting cultural dimension, one that builds upon the bustle of the B-Line Trail. Without a doubt it will be a catalyst project, a headstart on realizing a new community vision in the area. “

FINALLY!!! B-Line Trail opening ceremony

2011-08-08T13:31:00.005-04:00

Save the date! Thursday, September 8. B-Line trail opening ceremony.

Come and celebrate the opening of the B-line trail Septemeber 8 in the old McDoel switchyard. The festivities begin with a parade down the trail that will end at the switchyard at 5:30 pm. Mayor Mark Kruzan, Upland Brewery's Doug Dayhoff as well as city council members will be on hand to give remarks and kick off the the official opening of the trail. Before the speechmaking and revelry begins there will be a parade of bicycles and pedestrians that will begin at 4:00 at Mills Pool which is at the northernmost end of the trail, and will proceed down the trail to the event at the switchyard. There will be five stops along the route where kids can receive raffle tickets for a drawing for two bikes donated by the Bloomington Bicycle Project, as well as bicycle-related merchandise such as helmets and water bottles.

See you there!

Bloomington Community Bike Project coming to McDoel Gardens Switchyard

2011-08-08T13:04:00.003-04:00

(from HT online http://www.hoosiertimes.com, August 8, 2011.

Completing a bridge isn’t the only work being done at the old McDoel switchyard off Grimes Lane. City workers also are busy cleaning out the former switchyard office to get ready for new occupants.

Mick Renneisen, director of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, said part of the building will be used to store an all-terrain vehicle that the Bloomington Police Department will use to patrol the old railyard property. The rest of the space will become a second home for the Bloomington Community Bike Project, an all-volunteer organization that has promoted bicycling and sustainable transportation for many years from a tiny shop at Seventh and Madison streets.

Michael Lindeau, a spokesman for the group, said the addition of a second location will relieve cramped conditions at the downtown location while increasing the group’s visibility in the community.

Bike project volunteers work on donated bikes and pass their knowledge onto others. The group also refurbishes bicycles for sale to the public at a discount price.

Lindeau said the current shop has about 200 square feet of indoor space for bike repair and maintenance, which is why so much activity now seems to take place outside the building. He estimated the group’s part of the railyard building could provide as much as 800 square feet of working area.

“We’re really in a space crunch and have been for a long time,” he said.

Though the digs will be roomier, Lindeau said the group’s core mission will be unchanged: providing mentors for people to learn how to use specialized tools to repair and maintain their bicycles. He said the additional space also will allow the group to offer information about other bicycle services and shops in Bloomington, as well as advocacy for sustainable transportation in general.

Steve Cotter, natural resources manager for parks and recreation, said a use agreement for the railyard building should be ready for the next parks board meeting on Aug. 23. He said the department actively sought a partnership with the group in order to promote bicycling in Bloomington.

“We’re hoping this effort will help move along Bloomington’s attempt to be a platinum-level bicycle community,” he said.

Lindeau said the Bicycle Project intends to have its new shop set up in time for the B-Line Trail completion celebration Sept. 8.

It will be open initially on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with its volunteer staff ready to offer advice and assistance to people using the trail.

Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2011

Electronics Recycling Day this Saturday

2011-08-08T12:32:00.004-04:00

The City of Bloomington invites residents of Bloomington and surrounding communities to the first ever Electronics Recycling program. The city will be accepting all unwanted electronics for recycling. Take advantage of this as we all have unwanted items lingering in our basements and attics. The following items will be accepted: computers, laptops, monitors, LCDs, cell phones, printers, scanners, modems, cables, televisions, VCR's, DVD players, camcorders, cameras, gaming systems, telephones, pagers, answering machines, typewriters, calculators, fax machines, copiers and postage meters.

For additional information, please contact the Sanitation Department at 349-3443.

WHERE: Sanitation Garage, located at 3406 South Walnut St., just north of the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
WHEN: August 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Local First Indiana and Twisted Limb host mixer

2011-08-05T12:20:00.005-04:00

Local First Indiana will be gathering at Twisted Limb Paperworks for our August Mixer. Owner Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese will speak briefly about the business, their many sustainability efforts, and working with Options clients. Local First Indiana is a non-profit organization committed to supporting and promoting locally owned independent business by educating the public, facilitating collaboration, and engaging in outreach in order to create a more economically and environmentally sustainable local community, while preserving the unique local character.

Snacks and drinks provided by Twisted Limb Paperworks and Local First Indiana.

Please RSVP at una@localfirstindiana.org.

1122 S. Morton St.

Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:30-7:30pm

Suggested donation: $5

Upland Brewery to move to McDoel

2011-08-04T21:14:00.015-04:00

McDoel Executive Committee election this September

2011-07-31T13:50:00.003-04:00

There is an opening on the McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Association Executive Committee. All seats are in fact up for a vote in our September meeting. We need new faces who care about their neighborhood to step up and participate. Please consider running for a place in our 5-person executive committee. Duties and time obligations are limited but critical to the continued success of our neighborhood. Feel free to email any of our present representatives for more information.

Survey for new trees on West Dodds Street

2011-07-31T13:32:00.005-04:00

Want more trees planted on W. Dodds? The City of Bloomington Arborist, Lee Huss, has informed us that McDoel Gardens is eligible for new tree plantings in the curb-side tree-plots along W. Dodds St, but we need INPUT from neighbors like you before the city will move forward on the plan. So, W. Dodds residents: would YOU like to see more trees planted in the tree-plot of your street? We will be taking a door-to-door survey soon!!

"Tree Lined Street - Wawaset" painting by Edward Loper 2009. http://www.loperart.com/

BPD officer Scott Oldham to speak at next meeting

2011-07-31T13:25:00.004-04:00

Bloomington Police officer Scott Oldham will be speaking at the McDoel Gardens August meeting. He will be discussing BPD efforts at neighborhood policing, as well as answering questions from McDoel Gardens residents. The meeting will take place at McDoel Baptist Church, 1008 S. Rogers Street west entrance. August 4 6:30pm.

Image courtesy of HT Online.

Planting trees and shrubs at the new Community Kitchen

2011-07-14T11:06:00.004-04:00

We will be planting THIS Saturday the July 16, 8am at the new Community Kitchen which is the former Zucchini Prints on South Rogers Street. We’re hoping to get enough people that we can plant everything (about 100 shrubs & about 25-30 trees) all in a couple of hours before it gets too hot. We would love to have a total of about 20 or so people on Saturday so we can knock it all out. If you have a few shovels or whatever feel free to bring them. Come help make McDoel Gardens more beautiful than it already is!!

(photo courtesy of Bloomington Herald Times)

WHY RECYCLING NEIGHBORHOODS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER!

2011-05-26T14:47:00.002-04:00

"THE TIME TESTED WAY TO RECYCLE YOUR COMMUNITY"

We all need to feel a part of our community and to feel the link between the generations who created our town. This session
of the 2011 Leadership Series will feature the neighbors who have lead their communities toward Conservation or Historic District status, and illustrate how historic preservation has created stability, value and relationships among residents. Participants are encouraged to bring items that have been found in their home or yard for “show and tell.” For most of us, historic preservation is as much a personal journey as it is a series of regulations. Come share the stories of your own restoration and discoveries, learn how to research your home and how to ensure your neighborhood’s continued success.

HAND will offer a drawing for a
free Home Energy Audit to one of the participants in each session!

WHEN: THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011, 7 TO 9 P.M.
WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL

For
more information contact Vickie Provine provinev@bloomington.in.gov
or call 349-3505.

Tornado damage pictures

2011-05-26T10:16:00.006-04:00

On both Monday May 23 and Wednesday night May 25 Bloomington was hit by, what we assume was, a tornado. McDoel Gardens was one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in the city. I will be posting pictures of some of the houses I have seen so far over the next few days. If you have any photos of damage or stories you want to share, please send me an email at jonny.yuma@gmail.com

Rain Barrel Workshop at Harmony School

2011-04-26T13:37:00.002-04:00

Details: This is a HANDS-ON workshop where you will be building your own rain barrel with help from knowledgeable community members!

Cost: $25 (includes materials, the rain barrel and a facility donation) For those just watching its FREE!

Contact Emily at elshaw@indiana.edu in order to enter yourself into the lottery for a discounted rain barrel. A random selection of 29 individuals will receive the discounted barrel and another 10 will be added to the waitlist. Everyone is invited to attend the workshop to learn!!

When:
April 30th from 2-4pm

Where:
Harmony School Gym
909 E. 2nd St.

City and Platinum Biking Task Force Hosting Platinum Bike Summit

2011-04-26T09:42:00.003-04:00

Bloomington, IN – Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Platinum Biking Task Force are hosting a Platinum Bike Summit on April 28, 2011, at the Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center. The Platinum Bike Summit is a public workshop that will focus on strategies formaking Bloomington a Platinum level Bicycle Friendly Community by 2016.

Bike enthusiasts and other community partners are invited to kick off the Summit with a Platinum Reception at 5:30 p.m. The Summit will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will focus on developing key bicycling priorities for the community to achieve in the near future.

"As we continue to make cycling a priority in Bloomington, it's important we actively involve the community," said Kruzan. "This summit will be an important element of the Task Force's work, and a great wayfor the community to be involved in the direction our city is taking."

The priorities will be structured around the “Five Es” – Evaluation and Planning, Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Encouragement. The Five Es provide an effective framework to make bicycle transportation a viable and equitable mode of transportation for all community members. The League of American Bicyclists uses the Five E framework as part of its Bicycle Friendly Community Program, a program that Bloomington has participated in since 2003.

"The Platinum Bike Summit is a great way to shift gears and have fun while conducting important civic minded business,” said Dave Rollo, Task Force and City Council member. “This event is a key milestone of the Platinum Biking Task Force’s ongoing efforts as we develop a plan to get Bloomington to Platinum by 2016.”

Rollo is one of seven Task Force members commissioned by the City Council to produce a report and present their findings to the community later this year. The Platinum Bike Summit is the first of several public meetings planned. The Task Force meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at City Hall and all meetings are open to the public.

Additional information about the ongoing efforts of the Task Force is available at www.bloomington.in.gov/platinum_biking_task_force.

Drinks, snacks, and socializing beginning at 5:30 pm.
Discussion and work sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

http://bloomington.in.gov/bike

...For more information, please contact:
Scott Robinson, Long Range/Transportation Manager, Planning Department, City of Bloomington, 349.3423, robinsos@bloomington.in.gov

Jared Schlemmer, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3406, schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov

COMMUNITY EXCHANGE HOSTS EARTH DAY SWAP AT FARMERS MARKET

2011-04-11T20:37:00.001-04:00

Find a new way to “reduce, reuse, and recycle” items at the first Community Exchange Spring Swap to be held April 23 at the Showers Building between 9 am and 12 noon. Community members are invited to finish up their spring cleaning by donating good, serviceable and “desirable” items at the Showers Building on Friday night between 5 and 7 pm. Donators will be given a special pass to get into shopping an hour early.

“This is a really fun way to promote re-use of good items others no longer need, to build community, and to educate people about different ways to live an abundant life,” said Rhonda Baird, one of the project members.

Besides the give and take of the swap, visitors will have an opportunity to learn about time banks and sign up for the Bloomington Community Exchange (a local exchange and trading system that lets people offer goods and services to their community without using paper currency).

The swap organizers will not be able to accept intimate apparel, chemicals, paint, or old electronics such as televisions or monitors.

For more information, contact Ann Kreilkamp, arkcrone@gmail.com or 812.334.1987

Mayor Mark Kruzan announces NeighborLink

2011-04-06T20:29:00.019-04:00

One-stop shopping for all neighborhood issues!

Hello!

In my recent State of the City speech, I outlined an initiative I thought you might find of interest and that I hope will help improve the quality of life for residents in all our community's neighborhoods.

One concern I've heard from neighborhood residents is that they sometimes aren't sure who to contact when there's an issue city government needs to address. For instance, if a sign is vandalized, should a call be placed to the police, Public Works Department, or to the Housing & Neighborhood Development Department?

I'm pleased to announce that the City of Bloomington has established one-stop shopping for all neighborhood issues. We've established a new tool to allow for fast and easy reporting of any and all challenges a neighborhood may face. It's called NeighborLink. NeighborLink is literally a link between neighborhoods and all City departments. This tool will allow for neighbors to communicate with the City in one central way and place. It also will allow City departments to efficiently organize, track and solve issues reported by residents.

Here's how it works: whenever you see an issue that needs to be reported, you can call NeighborLink Coordinator Vickie Provine at 349.3581. Vickie will ensure that your concern is channeled to the right place and followup to make sure it's addressed. You also can visit www.bloomington.in.gov/neighborlink to describe the situation, leave contact information, or even to upload a photo. Finally, you also can visit NeighborLink using the City of Bloomington's mobile site on your cellphone at www.bloomington.in.gov/m .

Please always feel free to let us know what you think of NeighborLink and how we can improve upon it. Thanks for helping to make Bloomington the most livable community possible!

Mayor Mark Kruzan

Image of NEIGHBORLINK courtesy of the city of Bloomington

What Long-Term Projects Should our Neighborhood Take on?

2011-04-06T16:37:00.007-04:00

There are a number of long-term projects that the neighborhood could take on. Take a look at the list below and let us know what would be most important to you. If you have other ideas, please do share them!

-Rogers streetscape enhancements
-Patterson landscaping and enhancement
-Allen Street bike boulevard & Safe-to-Schools pathway
-Madison St. south edge cleanup (ASPLUND lot)
-Fairview St. sidewalks
-Fairview St. traffic speed mediation
-Madison St. storm drain and curbs
-Morton St. (b-Line) rezoning (2nd St. to Grimes Ln.)
-B-Line edges rezoning, Grimes Ln. to Tapp Rd.

Please share your comments and ideas with us either at the next neighborhood meeting or by contacting one of the executive committee members.

map image courtesy of the city of Bloomington

Do You Have Ideas for Future Neighborhood Grants?

2011-04-06T16:28:00.003-04:00

Every year, our neighborhood applies for grants that allow us to do enhancements and improvements around the neighborhood. Through Neighborhood Assistance Grants and Bloomington Small and Simple grants,we have gotten: limestone planters, benches along Rogers St., street sign toppers, doggie-doo bag dispensers, and the restoration of WPA sidewalks along W. Wylie and W. Dixie. What are your ideas? Share them with us at our next meeting or send your ideas to a neighborhood executive committee member.

Put Your Hat in the Ring!

2011-04-06T16:07:00.006-04:00

We need new faces who care about their neighborhood to step up and participate. Please consider running for a place on our 5-person executive committee this summer. Duties and time obligations are limited but critical to the continued success of our neighborhood.

Your McDoel Neighborhood Association Representatives are:

Jack Baker jack.ajb@gmail.com

Jeannie Beyer jeanniebeyers@att.net

Elizabeth Cox-Ash paul-liz@bluemarble.net

Matt Press mattpress@comcast.net

Jenn Will jennjwill@hotmail.com

Neighborhood Litter Patrol Saturday April 16

2011-04-06T12:52:00.007-04:00

McDoel Gardens needs a spring cleaning! Join your neighbors on April 16th for a neighborhood litter patrol. We will be walking the neighborhood picking up debris from the streets and sidewalks. The event runs from 10 AM to noon. We will be meeting at 10 AM at the McDoel Baptist Church, where we will be handing out bags and gloves.

McDoel Baptist Church
1008 South Rogers Street

SEE YOU THERE!!

District and City-wide Candidates to speak to McDoel Gardens residents

2011-04-06T12:40:00.005-04:00

The McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Association have invited candidates in the upcoming primary election to speak at
their next meeting. Those invited include the candidates for mayor, city council at-large and the district 5 city council seat.

WHEN: Thurs, April 7th , 6:30 PM

WHERE: McDoel Baptist Church, 1008 S. Rogers St., west entrance.

See you there!

Guest Speaker Ann Kreilkamp about Green Acres Community Gardens @ our next meeting!

2009-12-02T23:57:00.001-05:00

Ann Kreilkamp from the Green Acres Neighborhood Community Garden (GANG) will be the guest speaker at our Dec. 3 neighborhood meeting. She will be reporting (with pictures!) on the process that Green Acres has gone through to establish and maintain this garden, including the relationship that has unfolded with the city's planning department. Many Green Acres neighbors have consistently come together to make this garden a great success, and have even held a series of permaculture workshops to increase their knowledge & enhance the community aspect of the garden.

Check out their blog to learn more about the work they are doing:
http://tendrepress.com/archives/category/urban-farmstead

Many neighbors in McDoel Gardens have expressed interest in the possibility of creating a community space of some sort in our own neighborhood (garden, compost, park, or otherwise). This presentation will be a good opportunity to hear about and consider the realities of executing & maintaining such a project. We hope to see you all there:

Thursday, December 3 @ 6:30 in the basement of the McDoel Baptist Church on the corner of Rogers & Allen

Halloween Block Party!

2009-10-14T17:30:00.001-04:00

Mark your calendar for the annual Halloween Block Party on Friday, October 30, from 3-11ish, on Madison Street (between Dodds and 907 S. Madison).

There will be fun activities for both kids & grown-ups.

It's a potluck, so feel free to bring a dish....
& it's a Halloween party, so wear a costume.....

(Don't like cooking, don't have a costume? Please come & hang out anyway!)

dog picture from HalloweenJoys.com

Bringing Out the Character of Our Neighborhood as a Permanent Culture

2009-10-13T18:51:00.002-04:00

Please join us at our next neighborhood meeting, on Thursday November 5 at 6:30 at the McDoel Gardens Baptist Church. We will have a special guest, Rhonda Baird, who will address
how we, as a neighborhood, can draw out a permanent sense of place and enhance it with things that really work for individuals -- like edible landscaping and home retrofits, but also communal centers for exchanging information/food/celebration/games, etc. She will also talk about resources and also how individuals can build resilient, sustainable homes that contribute to that neighborhood health we all want when we are invested in a place.

We will have the opportunity to brainstorm our own ideas for enhancing our community. Some neighbors have discussed the possibility of a community garden (we are McDoel Gardens, after all), and one of our next guest speakers will be from the Green Acres Neighborhood Garden.

Bring your ideas, along with your friends & neighbors to the meeting. We want to hear what you want to learn about in the upcoming workshops. From your input we will schedule the next speakers.

Rhonda Baird is a permaculture designer and teacher. She will be helping to teach a full permaculture design course over five weekends this fall and winter (beginning October 15-17). Contact Rhonda for more info: river_bird_1@yahoo.com

Home For Sale/ Open House--more dates

2009-10-03T11:58:00.002-04:00

Open House at 1409 S Rogers Street, Sunday, November 1st & Sunday November 8th, from 2-4 pm.

This house was the home of Eathel Elkins, a longtime McDoel resident. Eathel lived in the house for more than 55 years and lived well beyond her 100th birthday. Eathel was originally from Elkinsville, which was one of the towns flooded to create Lake Monroe.

The house has been lovingly restored by Bloomington Restorations, Inc. with a new kitchen and bath and new appliances. Stop by the Open house for information, punch and cookies.

Living With Urban Wildlife Seminars

2009-09-30T17:41:00.000-04:00

The Indiana DNR Urban Wildlife Project will host 3 seminars on Living With Urban Wildlife. The free seminars will cover vairous aspects of wildlife management, including relevant laws, basic biology and methods to control wildlife damage. All seminars run 6-8 p.m. The first seminar will be Oct. 8 at the Monoe County Library auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., in Bloomington. No registration is required. Call 812-334-1137 or email swinks@dnr.in.gov.

(copied from the H-T Outdoor Calendar)

Kroger Reno & New Proposed Construction: 10/5/09 Plan Meeting

2009-09-26T17:56:00.000-04:00

The Seminary Square Kroger is going to be remodeled and updated. This means Kroger will remain in its current location. Kroger will most likely add gas pumps, which will greatly change the flow of traffic in that area. The upcoming changes will be discussed at the next City of Bloomington Plan Commission Meeting, on October 5.

Another PC meeting topic relevant to McDoel Gardens is the Bryan White project proposed for 223 W. Dodds St. It would involve a rezoning of 1.6 acres from commercial limited to a PUD, where the developers would build up to 20 single-family homes. This has been discussed on the blog in previous entries. For the report from the last Plan Commission meeting regarding the development, go to: http://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=187.
Look in the right hand task bar, under 'Attachments,' & click on '8-31-2009.' Your plan commissioners will vote on this project at the October 5 meeting, so make your opinion heard. Currently Jack Baker and Isabel Piedmont-Smith sit on the commission, are your neighbors, and want to know what you think.

Tenth Street Mobility Study Workshops

2009-09-08T13:57:00.001-04:00

From City of Bloomington HAND (Housing and Neighborhood Development)

This message is to inform you that there will be two public workshops to discuss the 10^th Street Mobility Study (also referred to as the North Campus Area Study):

Thursday September 10, 2009 from 11:30am-1:30pm in the auditorium of the Monroe County Public Library (303 E. Kirkwood Ave.);

Getting there by bus: Bloomington Transit routes 1, 3, 4, or 5
Parking: parking is available at the library or the adjacent streets

Thursday September 10, 2009 from 5:00pm-7:00pm in Room CG2061 of the Kelley School of Business Graduate and Executive Education Center (NW corner of N. Fee Ln. and E. 10^th St). Room CG2061 is on the second floor in the NW corner of the building.

Getting there by bus: Bloomington Transit routes 1, 6, or 9; IU Campus Bus routes A, B, D, or E
Parking: paid parking is available in the Fee Lane Parking garage (attached to the northern side of the Kelley School of Business)

The information presented at both workshops is intended to be identical. The anticipated format of the workshop will be a brief open house, followed by a presentation, and then group discussions about the study area.

Stay Connected

You can get information about the 10^th Street Mobility Study online: http://bloomington.in.gov/10th_Street_Mobility_Study

The Hand Update (Housing and Neighborhood Development)

2009-09-08T13:51:00.004-04:00

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT GRANTS (link to website) Meeting tonight!

These grants provide funds for neighborhood physical improvement projects that require $2,000 or more – click here to see neighborhood projects.

§ Neighborhood Signs

§ Restoration of brick and WPA sidewalks

§ Landscaping, benches and trash receptacles on public right of way

§ Historical markers

Overview and Distribution of Applications: Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 6:00 p.m. John Hooker Room

Letter of Intent: Friday, Sept.25, 2009, by 4:00 pm.

Applications Due: Friday, November 6, 2009, by 4 pm.

For more information about this program, contact Vickie Provine at provinev@bloomington.in.gov or 349-3505

Wylie Woodchuck

2009-09-04T16:17:00.001-04:00

We have a neighborhood woodchuck (groundhog) living near the 600 block of West Wylie Street. Thanks, Glee, for the photo!

Neighborhood Meeting Sept. 10

2009-09-03T17:42:00.001-04:00

Please join your neighbors at the McDoel Baptist Church (basement) at 6:30 on Thursday, September 10. The church is at 1006 South Rogers Street.

Summary of Plan Commission with Comments from Jack Baker

2009-09-03T17:22:00.003-04:00

Brian White is proposing a 19 lot subdivision on the lot at Morton and Dodds. The first hearing with Bloomington City Plan Commission was on Monday Aug 31. A second hearing and most likely a vote accepting or denying the project will be held on October 5^th.

Plan Commissioners heard from Mr. White and his local engineer. He wants to build 19 homes using several traditional designs including Queen Anne and Craftsman and place them on narrow lots, with all homes a short distance from, and facing, the phase II B-line trail. The homes would range in cost from about $170000 to $300000 and approximately 40% would be eligible for an affordable housing program that reduces the cost to a home buyer depending upon their income and family size.

Commissioners questioned all aspects of the project including density (number of homes), house spacing, materials and design, driveways, tree preservation and new tree plantings, and the extent of passive solar and the ‘green’ details. The Public questioned density and spacing of the homes, timing of the project, and tree preservation. The Planning staff questioned some of Mr. White’s project details including roof pitch, porch depth and building set-backs.

My reading of the public commentary at the PC meeting and consensus at our last neighborhood meeting is most of the neighborhood is in favor of the project, with a few persons still concerned about the number of homes proposed for the property size. My reading of the Plan Commission is that it is also favorable to the project although there is some concern about the quality and density of the homes.

While I too would rather see fewer homes on larger lots I believe it is not an option in this project – the developer considers it uneconomic to reduce the number of homes. But, if we can be assured the homes will be built with high aesthetic and material qualities I think the worry about density and closeness will be offset. As usual the recipe for a successful project is in the details. The Plan Commission staff noted all of our criticism at the Aug 31 meeting and is working with the developer to improve the proposal. For example we have asked that vinyl siding not be allowed as a building material (poor quality, lack of color range and paint holding), metal roofs be of a specific type, and roof pitch must be steeper. We are working on a commitment that the styles built will be true to the originals.

This is the first project along the B-line trail and we need it to be a good one.

--Jack

Planned Construction Goes to Second Commission Meeting

2009-09-03T13:48:00.001-04:00

The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed housing project (along Dodds & the B-line) that could have impact on McDoel Gardens neighborhood at their meeting on August 31. The developers had hoped to bypass the need for a second hearing in order to begin construction this season. As many details were not agreed upon, and several neighbors voiced concerns, the Commission voted to go to a second hearing.

You can still catch the broadcast of the Aug. 31 meeting on CATS local channel 12. Click here for this week's schedule.

Bloomington Hospital Survey

2009-08-29T21:49:00.001-04:00

Bloomington Hospital is considering whether to relocate to a site at the corner of Curry Pike and State Road 46 on the west side of Bloomington. The Council of Neighborhood Associations of Monroe County would like to gauge community knowledge and interest in attending an informational meeting and discussion with hospital and community leaders.

Click http://www.conaonline.org/survey.html to take the survey.

New Construction Project Goes to Plan Commission August 31

2009-08-29T20:37:00.001-04:00

At our neighborhood meeting on August 13, developer Brian White presented information about a planned construction project that he hopes will go in south of Dodds Street along the future B-Line trail. The project would consist of many narrow homes ranging in size from 25' wide by 25' - 75' long. There will be a 5' space between the homes. The fronts would face the future B-line trail, and driveway access would be from the rear, via the paved area along the existing storage units.

The developers plan to use many eco-friendly building techniques and products, although some will be optional. Aesthetically, the homes will have varying traditional styles, as to reflect the surrounding neighborhood character. Also, 40-50% of the homes will be subsidized, allowing a greater range in affordability.

The project goes to the City of Bloomington Plan Commission on August 31, 2009, at 5:30 in Common Council Chambers in City Hall. The project will next have to go to City Council, likely in October. Attend and make your voice heard.

Location of the Neighborhood

2009-08-29T20:17:00.000-04:00

The boundaries of McDoel Gardens neighborhood are defined as:

On the north:
First Street

On the south:
The Indiana Railroad Line tracks immediately south of Hillside Drive

On the east:
CSX Railroad tracks and Morton Street

On the west:
Patterson Drive, excluding Maple Court; and Rogers Street between Patterson Drive and the south boundary

Adopt-A-River Program

2009-08-12T10:17:00.000-04:00

A branch of Clear Creek runs alongside and through McDoel Gardens, though until recently it looked more like a drainage ditch than a real creek. The reason for its transformation? McDoel resident Paul Ash spearheaded a plan to have the neighborhood "adopt" the creek through a program run by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Under the program, the section of the creek in McDoel is cleaned up twice a year. McDoel was the first neighborhood association to adopt a river or creek under the DNR's program.

The first several cleanups have been highly productive, with items such as grocery carts and car parts fished out by stoic volunteers. The creek has been so persistantly used as a dumping grounds over the years that clean-ups are still producing a large quantity of debris.

The winter creek clean-up has been aided by City of Bloomington's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day project grants, which have been used to provide gloves and bags and other supplies, and allowed use of dumpsters set up to receive the "loot."

The youth group at McDoel Baptist Church has generously contributed their labor and cheerful attitudes to the clean-ups, as well, another way in which the church stands out as a very good neighbor.

These photos show neighborhood and church volunteers braving January cold to clean up the creek on Martin Luther King Day.

Grant Projects

2009-08-12T10:13:00.000-04:00

The neighborhood associations applied for its first grant from the City of Bloomington's Neighborhood Assistance Grant program in 1999. This program, administered by the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, provides funding for neighborhood projects.

The 1999 grant application was for purchase and installation of thirteen limestone planters, to be installed along South Rogers between First Street and the railroad tracks south of the old RCA building. The grant was awarded, and the neighborhood now has the planters in place, tended by neighborhood volunteers. The northern and southern most planters are inscribed with the words "Welcome to McDoel Gardens."

Another aspect of the 1999 grant was the creation of a historical marker for the neighborhood, to be placed in the small traffic triangle at the corner of Madison and Patterson, and two limestone benches. The traffic triangle was created during the expansion of Patterson Drive through our neighborhood, and was finished and landscaped in April and May 2001. The historical marker and accompanying limestone bench were installed in July of 2001, with due ceremony. The second bench is located next to one of the planters on the Raintree Muffler property at Rogers and Patterson.

A current grant project is underway to steel-cut benches to provide seating at a bus stop on South Rogers. Summer 2003 is the target date for installation.

Meetings

2009-08-12T10:06:00.002-04:00

The McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Association meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the McDoel Baptist Church. The church is located on Rogers Street, between Dixie and Allen; enter the basement from the alley behind the church.