City of Bloomington Releases Digital Massing Model of Downtown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2008

For additional information, contact:
Rick Dietz, Director, Information and Technology Services, City of Bloomington, 349-3485
Daniel Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov



[3d model of Bloomington viewed in Google Earth|image:2970,right]Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington Information and Technology Services (ITS) Department announced the release of its new digital massing model for buildings in downtown Bloomington. The model was created by staff of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a division of the ITS Department.

A massing model is a simplified rendering of the form of a building. Building detail is omitted but the general shape, dimensions and footprint of the structure remain visible.

"The 3D model allows City staff to visualize the streetscape in three dimensions from all directions and at different altitudes," said Laura Haley, City of Bloomington GIS Manager. "From this perspective one can see how proposed new development might look against the backdrop of existing buildings. We can also use the 3D model to look at line of sight from one point to another on the horizon. Line of sight can be an important factor in transportation and communication studies."

The new City of Bloomington downtown massing model features buildings from the core of downtown including the Certified Technology Park, Kirkwood Avenue and Courthouse Square.

"We are excited about the potential use of this 3D model for the review of proposed downtown development projects that come before the Plan Commission," Tom Micuda, City Planning Director said. "This could give Commissioners another important tool in assessing whether or not the mass and scale of new developments are appropriate for our downtown."

For interested users, the model is available in Google Earth's KML format and can be explored using the Google Earth application and other applications such as Google Maps, NASA WorldWind, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer, Adobe PhotoShop, AutoCAD, and Yahoo! Pipes. It is available for download from the City's web site at www.bloomington.in.gov/3D.

"We are particularly interested in sharing this with the public," ITS Department Director Rick Dietz said. "We expect many members of the public will be excited to use this technology, play with it and perhaps help us enhance this model over time. We look forward to being surprised."

The model was created from building elevation data collected during a recent GIS data update project that utilized the Digital Elevation Model and Color Orthophotography taken by the State of Indiana. The City has additional elevation data along the major corridors and plans to build additional 3D models in these areas.

The 3D massing model and its updates can be found at [www.bloomington.in.gov/3D|http://bloomington.in.gov/3d].

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