Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

Page 16 text:

Downtown undergoes transit-tion The downtown area of a city used to be the heart of a community, a central area where residents took care of necessary business and shopping while meeti ng friends and neighbors. But our computerized and corporate society built suburban malls which often turned the hub of a community into a ghost town, and drove small merchants into un- employment lines. In 1964, Bloomington ' s downtown area was also threatened by a mall. The competition of climate-controlled indoor shopping and free parking was increased by the fact that stores in the College Mall catered to the needs and likes of the student population. Granted, Bloomington consists of more than college students, but an economic resource of 30,000-plus students can ' t be ignored. A compromise between the mall and downtown was needed in order to serve both resident and student popula- tions. Keeping Bloomington ' s downtown alive was a must, so changes were made. In addition to the old, established stores which serve all generations, there are now downtown stores which have items of particular appeal to a young population — candles, unique kitchenwares, eastern im- ports, leather goods and fashionable clothing. The mixture of new ideas in old textures is expressed in the architectural facades of the stores. Archaic, columned second and third stories top the buildings of sleek, street- level exteriors and modern window displays. A sculptured, domed courthouse contrasts with the modern stone planters on street corners, but each has its place in Bloomington cul- ture. New benches, two wooden sculptures and a fountain have made Bloomington ' s downtown area a more inviting place. What began as a threat to downtown merchants resulted in an impetus for changes beneficial to all Bloomington res- idents. More changes are expected for the future as the work of preserving the old with the new continues in downtown Bloomington. Robin Garrett (RIGHT) In a unique combination of priorities, the city of Bloomington en- couraged both specialty stores and all-purpose stores, such as this hardware store, to increase downtown shopping. (OPPOSITE, LOWER LEFT) Catering to the after-movie crowd, this soda foun- tain next to the Indiana Theatre in- creased its evening hours. Late-night shoppers also found the way to satiate the thirst of a long day ' s shopping was fountain ' s specialty — ice cream sodas. (OPPOSITE. MIDDLE LEFT) Increased alley lighting and a new wooden sculpture which doubles as monkey- bars make this alley an attractive place for parents to herd their children while shopping. (OPPOSITE. ABOVE RIGHT) Catering to the needs of older citizens — many of whom see if as their only available means of transportation — has long been an aim of the Bloomington Transit System. This lady is availing herself of one of the new Mercedes- Benz mini-buses. 12 ID Schwalm

Page 15 text:

Photos Don Toon (ABOVE) At the Woolery Stone Quarry, a derrick hoists limestone from the ledges. The limestone is loaded onto a railroad car and then trans- ported to the mill for finishing and cutting. (ABOVE LEFT) Blocks of finished stone are stacked by job in preparation for delivery. (LEFT) These limestone foundry work- ers put the final touches on the smoothly finished stone. (OPPOSITE) Bob Woolery. foundry worker, watches as a large gang saw prepares to cut two more blocks of limestone. Water is poured down through the stone as it is cut in order to keep the blades cool. 11

Page 17 text:

f ;■ m- A city that uses two old vans as the only form of public transportation? Can you imagine anything so — well — backward? Imagine no more, because Bloomington was. from 1965 to 1973, a city in that situation! Financial difficulties are nothing new to the Bloomington Transit Lines (BTL); in fact, the problems afflicting BTL date back some 21 years. But it was not until September, 1964, that these problems came to a head and lU entered the transit picture. At that time, due to management and cost troubles. BTL made a twenty-year agreement with lU. Under this agree- ment, the university consented to underwrite $80,000 of BTL ' s operating expense debt. The stipulation was that BTL would provide bus service to students and would turn over buses and facilities used for the university service should it (BTL) fail. By 1965, the only transportation vehicle operating over the three existing routes was a single, run-down van. Con- sequently, in September of 1966, lU exercised its option to operate independently and took over total campus bus ser- vices. lU and Bloomington have since existed as separate transit systems. There is, however, one important connection between the two transit lines. It was lU ' s Dr. Ceorge Smerk, administra- tive director of lU ' s Institute of Urban Transportation and professor of transportation, and Ed Colby, director of the university ' s bus system, who were instrumental in devising new routes and schedules for the system. Their work was fundamental to the Bloomington Common Council ' s ap- propriation of General Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for a new bus system in 1973. Sixteen new Mercedes-Benz buses were purchased for the new system, and ridership figures have been on the rise ever since, Kathy Furore J-D. Schwalm