By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Citing a desire to preserve Bloomington’s history and help boost property values, the City Council voted unanimously Monday to start the process of restoring a brick street on a section of East Monroe, rather than resurfacing it with asphalt.
Long-time alderman Jim Fruin, at his final council meeting, urged his colleagues to come up with a plan to pay for rehabbing all 3.5 miles of brick streets in the city.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Patti’s interview with Bloomington City Manager David Hales.
“Who could not love brick streets?,” Fruin asked. “Some of the most desired neighborhoods people are attracted to are those in our downtown area, Dimmitt’s Grove, Founders Grove, etc. So I am very supportive. ”
Aldermen directed staff to seek bids for brick repair or replacement on Monroe, from Clinton to Robinson Streets.
Residents addressing the council, including Surena Fish, favored the idea.
“It’s one of the few things that make this city different, don’t let it go away,” Fish told the council.
Council member Amelia Buragas said while asphalt might be less expensive in the near term, bricks last a century or more and might be cheaper in the long run.
Hales raise
A Bloomington alderman, who gave up his seat to make an unsuccessful run for mayor, took one last parting shot at city spending. Kevin Lower was the lone dissenter Monday as the council voted 7-to-1 to give City Manager David Hales a 1.9 percent raise.
Lower, attending his final council meeting as south side alderman, said Hales has done an outstanding job, but the council is ignoring a sluggish local economy.
“Though he deserves it, much of the private sector deserves a raise as well, but they don’t get it until the economy improves,” Lower said.
Hales’ pay raise is retroactive to January. His salary this year is almost $189,000. Hales’ contract runs until July of next year.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
