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 pursue conservation status.

Why it matters: The commission’s action preserves the 90‑day review window while neighbors continue outreach and gives staff time to expand the historical record. If the commission or staff finds sufficient evidence under the city’s historic‑designation criteria, the case could move to a designation recommendation to the Common Council; if not, the property owner may proceed after the delay period expires.

What the commission decided: After public comment and internal discussion, commissioners voted to continue the matter to the next meeting rather than release the demolition delay or move immediately to a designation recommendation. The motion to continue passed 4–1.

Public testimony and neighborhood organizing: Several residents, former owners and local historians spoke against immediate release. John Butler, who holds a Ph.D. in history, argued the house “has historical architectural merit as part of a set” in the block and highlighted Adams’s contributions to stonework around Bloomington. Judith Barnes, a former owner, said she sold the house without knowing the buyer intended demolition and urged the commission to preserve the building. Erin McCamey, who lives next door, described concerns about neighborhood impacts if the building were torn down. Speakers repeatedly said they were organizing a conservation‑district effort covering the block bounded roughly by Walnut, Grant, Tenth and Twelfth streets and asked for sufficient time to complete the required public meetings.

Staff research and criteria: Historic‑preservation staff reported that, under Bloomington Municipal Code criteria for local designation, a property may qualify if it “has significant character, interest or value as part of the development heritage or cultural characteristics of the city” or “is associated with a person who played a significant role in local, state or national history.” Staff said Ivan Adams is locally recognized for limestone carving, but that further documentation is needed to show whether the house’s period of association corresponds to the most notable portion of his career.

Next steps: The commission continued DD25‑18 to allow staff to expand research on Adams’s works and to allow neighborhood organizers to complete public outreach. The continuation preserves the 90‑day review window that began with the demolition notice; staff said the formal review period would otherwise expire in late October. The commission encouraged petitioners to coordinate with planning staff on a conservation‑district petition and scheduled further review at its next regular meeting.

Ending: The commission’s continuation keeps the property under review while giving neighbors and staff time to develop either a formal conservation‑district nomination or additional documentation that would support or refute a designation recommendation.