Historic Preservation Commission delays decision on proposed demolition at 115 E. Twelfth as neighbors push conservation district

The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 11 voted 4–1 to continue its review of a demolition application for 115 East Twelfth Street (Demolition Delay DD25‑18), giving neighbors time to pursue a proposed conservation district and asking staff to assemble additional historical evidence about stone carver Ivan Adams.

Neighbors and several former residents urged the commission to delay any release of the demolition hold while they organize a conservation‑district petition and collect further documentation tying the property to Adams, who is identified in staff research as a locally prominent limestone carver. Anne Steigerwald, a former owner, described the house as “an excellent example of small 1920s California bungalow” and emphasized the neighborhood’s cohesive character. Amy Butler, a current adjacent property owner, said the neighborhood was organizing and had already gathered signatures and planned public meetings to…