Bloomington Board of Public Works approves abatements, multiple right-of-way closures and $3.56 million in claims

The Bloomington Board of Public Works on Tuesday approved continuous abatements at 1520 South Woodruff Lane and 501 East Grimes Lane, authorized a series of temporary right-of-way and sidewalk closures for downtown and neighborhood projects and approved claims totaling $3,558,733.06.

Housing and Neighborhood Development presented the abatement requests after multiple notices for property violations. "There are a couple pictures in your packet that show quite a bit of garbage debris and recyclables throughout the property," Public Works Director Adam Wason said during the presentation of the Grimes Lane case. HAND compliance staff told the board they have had repeated contact attempts with owners of both properties and, in one case, no meaningful owner contact.

During the Grimes Lane discussion, Katie Norris, executive director of Hotels for Homeless, told the board her organization had sent crews to help remove large items and asked whether fines could be waived. City legal advised that appeals or waivers of fines are generally actions for the property owner or an owner’s registered designee and that the board’s vote tonight applied only to the abatement (property clean-up), not to penalty appeals.

Engineering staff described and the board approved temporary closures and pedestrian detours tied to multiple construction projects: a lane and sidewalk diversion at West 3rd Street for HR Green’s work near Kimball Drive; a four-day closure to accommodate guardrail replacement near 405 South Walnut; a two-day sidewalk replacement by Ridge Point Construction on West 8th Street requiring guided pedestrian assistance; a two-week sidewalk reconstruction tied to a new restaurant at South Curry Pike and West Roll Avenue; and a two-phase crane staging and masonry tuckpointing plan at 205 North College Avenue for work on the Graham Plaza building (Umphrey's Masonry). Board members asked staff to add written permit conditions requiring contractor responsibility for guided pedestrian detours where sidewalks are interrupted and to coordinate scheduling to avoid overlap with nearby events or projects.

The board also approved the consent agenda, which included resolutions and event right-of-way permits for Taste of Bloomington and the Fourth of July parade, among other routine items.

Votes at a glance

- Continuous abatement, 1520 South Woodruff Lane: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - Continuous abatement, 501 East Grimes Lane: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - HR Green right-of-way closure, 2500 West 3rd Street: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - Mike Ellis/Mykellis right-of-way closure, 405 South Walnut: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - Ridge Point Construction sidewalk closure, West 8th Street: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - Advantage Painting sidewalk closure, South Curry Pike & West Roll Avenue: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - CFC crane/tuckpointing closures, 205 North College Avenue: approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye). - Claims approval: $3,558,733.06 — approved (Roach: aye; Cox-Deckard: aye; Carone: aye).

Board President Elizabeth Crooks closed the meeting after the board approved claims and other items. Staff said they would follow up with city legal and engineering on outstanding enforcement and appeals questions raised during public comment.