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Last updated on Friday, July 31, 2015
(BLOOMINGTON) - There is a general consensus that the area around the Monroe County Courthouse warrants protection through historic designation, but the city wants to hear from more property owners and tenants.
According to the Herald Times there have been no objections, but city officials are not sure how many of the 44 property owners and many more tenants are actually being reached through mailings and other outreach efforts.
According to Nancy Hiestand, program manager for the city's housing and neighborhood development department, the courthouse square is already listed on state and federal lists, but local historic preservation will prevent demolition of buildings downtown. The National Register of Historic Places sets the courthouse square bounds roughly at Seventh, Walnut and Fourth streets and College Avenue, and the local district is set to follow roughly those same boundaries.
City officials are moving ahead with the designation and starting the process to develop guidelines for how to treat buildings in the historic district.
A core group of property owners and commission members continues to discuss and develop a final draft of the guidelines. Officials however would appreciate more comments on the plans. Meetings are held at noon on Wednesdays in City Hall.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
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