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Kruzan and Lewis Propose Downtown Alley Revitalization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2007
For More Information:
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569
Kruzan and Lewis Propose Downtown Alley Revitalization
Bloomington, IN-- Mayor Mark Kruzan and local developer Elliot Lewis announced plans to revitalize the highly traveled alley between the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater and the Odd Fellows building. The alley is in the heart of Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District's (BEAD) Show District.
"If you've been downtown, you've almost certainly used this alley to get where you're going," Kruzan said. "This revitalization is going to make it a much more inviting trip and will put the space to a better and brighter use.
"Our project benefits BEAD, Downtown, the theater, a new restaurant and residential space, as well as existing businesses," Kruzan said. "It's just one of many BEAD-related initiatives we will undertake this year."
The alley is being enhanced in association with a renovation project by Lewis to restore the Odd Fellow's building to its original historic condition. As part of this historic renovation, the developer will be converting the second and third stories of the building to 12 residential apartment units. By the end of September, a new downtown restaurant, FARM Bloomington, will occupy the entire ground floor space.
With the substantial amount of renovations being performed to the exterior of the Odd Fellow's building, Kruzan and Lewis turned their attention to the alley, which has had problems with litter and graffiti.
Lewis and Kruzan outlined specific alley enhancements involved in the project:
- Archways will be added at both ends of the alley to help define the revitalized, pedestrian space;
- Existing, worn asphalt will be removed and replaced with decorative brick pavers, which the City will supply from inventory remaining from its Kirkwood Streetscape project;
- Decorative lighting fixtures will be mounted on buildings facing the alley to increase pedestrian safety;
- Graffiti will be removed from the building facades along the alley, and the City's new Downtown Specialist will help keep it graffiti-free;
- Bike racks will be placed at the north and south ends of the alley; and
- Outdoor seating for FARM Bloomington and weather protection awnings will be installed.