Switchyard Park Property Design Workshop at Convention Center

Switchyard Park Property Design Workshop May 14 2012 5:00 PM - May 14 2012 6:30 PM

Location: Bloomington Convention Center

Public input for the Switchyard Park Property master plan during an open mic session on Monday, May 14 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the Bloomington Convention Center.

 There will be a public presentation of the conceptual designs on Thursday, May 17 from 6 - 7 p.m. at City Hall - Showers Building. The design team will use information gathered about the Switchyard Park Property site, as well as feedback from stakeholders and community members, to create a vision for the new park design. Several design concepts will be presented for feedback on May 17.

 For more information about the Switchyard Park Property master planning process, visit the Switchyard Park Property Web Site http://www.reasite.com/live-sites/switchyard-park/project-information/ [photo courtesy of Herald Times Online]

McDoel Switchyard Park Open House This Thursday, April 26.

The Bloomington Parks and Rec Department is looking for feedback and ideas from neighbors on the future McDoel Switchyard Park, as part of their master plan process. They will be hosting an open house this Thursday, in the City Council chambers at City Hall, in the Showers Building (401 N. Morton St.). Mid-day session: noon - 1:30 PM, Thursday, April 26th Evening session: 5:30 PM - 7 PM, Thursday, April 26th Future Opportunities to Contribute Ideas and Opinions:Wednesday, May 2nd, 10 AM - 2 PM, Senior Expo, Twin Lakes Rec Center May 12, May 19, June 2 or June 16, at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market Monday, May 14th, 5 PM - 6:30 PM, at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center The entire Switchyard Park planning process can be followed online, at www.switchyardpark.org.

Switchyard Update, bye bye Upland.

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.