By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen have adopted a master plan to preserve the city’s historic, but deteriorating brick streets. However, the council deleted from the plan a section containing the nearly $7.4 million cost over the next decade to repair the remaining 3.5 miles of the city’s public brick streets.
Alderman Karen Schmidt said specifying costs might set expectations that can’t be met, given current budget constraints, and before the council discusses other spending priorities.
“It feels like trying to set the money into the plan is a false signal at this moment in time,” said Schmidt.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Bloomington interim city manager Steve Rasmussen.
Alderman Scott Black disagreed.
“I like to put my money where my mouth is. We need to have that piece in there,” Black said.
“Maybe it’s phases or stages or whatever you want to call it. I think that takes out kind of the core of what we’re up to,” Black also said.
Brick street repairs are much more expensive, but last a lot longer than concrete roadways.
The master plan’s highest priority is restoration of brick roadways on Monroe St. from Clinton Blvd. to Robinson St.
The council Monday night agreed to pay a Springfield engineering consultant up to $179,000 to design the project.
Total cost of renovating the street, sidewalks, and water main is estimated at almost $1.1 million, but aldermen
will wait until next spring’s budget discussions to consider giving final approval.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at howard.packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
