Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

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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

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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

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•WWJjjlyi - Sw-idt 14 Nestled somewhere in the midst of K-Mart, Kentucky Fried Chicken, College Mall and McDonald ' s, is a small farm. Known as the Latimer place, it is in direct contrast with the golden arches, neon signs and parking lots that sur- round it. Because of its location, the land is worth more than that of an ordinary farm. Over the last one hundred years, this land has been owned by the Latimer family. Today, Mrs. Frieda Robertson, along with her husband, daughter and mother, live on the Latimer homestead. Originally the farm encompassed 70 acres on Bloomington ' s East side. Robertson ' s father, the late Mr. Clarence Latimer, received the land from his father, who in turn, had inherited the land from his father. Forty additional acres were later added, enlarging the Robertson farm to 110 acres. Making use of a tract of the land, Mr. Latimer leased an acre to Burger Chef fifteen years ago. Then, in 1970, twelve acres were leased to K-Mart, and the wall of business grew around the Latimer farm. Today the remaining acreage is used to raise beef cattle, and grow hay and alfalfa to feed the animals. Mr. Robertson runs the farm, while his wife works at the placement office of the lU Business School. They still receive calls for leasing offers, but, for the moment, they do not intend to accept any of them. One hundred years ago the area surrounding the Latimer place was farmland. Today it is a mass of commercialism, but the farm remains a touch of the old in a center of the new. The most conspicuous example of commercialism around the Latimer place is the College Mall. Built in 1965, the mall has grown steadily over the past years, and now has 47 stores. Mary Lou Brown, past president of the mall ' s merchant association, said the mall developers were looking for small towns without malls. Bloomington seemed a likely spot, so Melvin Simon and Co. moved in and built the East side shopping extravaganza. College Mall has developed into a regional mall serving several counties, Brown said. Residents of Bedford, Paoli and towns as far away as French Lick frequent the mall. Each store relies on the student population in a different fashion. When building the mall, Brown said, the facilities were specifically aimed at the university and its students. Tom French. Sue Rhoade Photos Bruce Buchanan