>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ANNEXATION IS BACK ON THE AGENDA FOR BLOOMINGTON AFTER IT WON A LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE STATE.

THE PLAN WOULD BRING MORE THAN 9,000 ACRES AND 14,000 PEOPLE INTO THE CITY.

BUT THE PROPOSAL IS A HARD SELL FOR SOME NON-CITY RESIDENTS.

>> I'M 80 YEARS OLD AND I'M THINKING, YOU KNOW, ONCE I PASS ON, CAN MY WIFE AFFORD TO LIVE HERE?

>> DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON HAS SEEN A BOOM OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS OVER THE PAST DECADE.

THE DEMAND FOR STUDENT HOUSING CONTINUES S. THERE A TIPPING POINT?

>> WE DON'T WANT AS MUCH STUDENT HOUSING.

WE WANT MORE DIVERSE HOUSING IN THE DOWNTOWN.

>> AND PARENTS OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS GATHERED AT THE SAMPLE GATES TO PROTEST THE UNIVERSITY'S VACCINATION POLICY.

>> THIS MANDATE IS JUST COMPLETELY BYPASSING THE FREEDOMS WE SHOULD BE USED TO AND SHOULD HAVE.

>> THESE STORIES PLUS LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY DIALED BACK ITS COVID-19 VACCINE REGULATIONS LAST WEEK.

STUDENTS NO LONGER HAVE TO SUBMIT PROOF OF VACCINATION, BUT THEY STILL MUST BE VACCINATED.

ADAM PINSKER TELLS US WHY EVERYONE IS NOT ON BOARD WITH THE PLAN.

>> I'M HERE TODAY TO ENCOURAGE THE STUDENTS OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY TO BE BRAVE.

[ CHEERS ] >> FACED WITH THE CHOICE OF BEING VACCINATED OR BEING BOOTED FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY, STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS DEFIED THE SCHOOL'S VACCINE MANDATE AT THE SAMPLE GATES ON THURSDAY.

>> I HAVE GONE HERE THIS WHOLE YEAR AND I HAVE RESPECTED AND FOLLOWED ALL OF I.U.

'S COVID LAWS.

I EVEN GOT GOT TESTED 35 TIMES AN I WASN'T WASN'T POSITIVE ONE.

>> JACKSON PAUWELS GOT A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION BUT CAME OUT TO PROTEST AN THE UNWARRANTED MANDATE.

MANY WHO GATHERED ARE SKEPTICAL WHETHER THE COVID-19 VACCINE EVEN WORKS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF FALSE INFORMATION HAS MADE IT INTO SOCIAL MEDIA.

THERE'S NO SCIENTIFIC BASIS TO ANY OF THAT, AND SO WE HAVE GOT TO OVERCOME THAT WITH THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

>> DEARTH SAYS TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOSES OF VACCINE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED WORLDWIDE AND COVID CASES ARE PLUMMETING, ABOUT 45% OF HOOSIERS 16 AND OVER HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED HOWEVER THE VIRUS IS NOT COMPLETELY GOOD MORNING AND DEARTH FEARS IF THE VACCINES FALL OFF, THAT THERE MAY BE AN INCREASE IN THE FALL.

>>> THE LAST TIME ANNEXATION IN BLOOMMENTTON TOOK PLACE IN 2004, BUT IT'S A HARD SELL FOR SOME SOME NON-CITY RESIDENTS.

JIMMIE JOHNSON AND MS. JENSHAK WERE NEIGHBORS FOR ABOUT 17 YEARS.

>> WE GET ALONG GREAT.

>> IT'S A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> JOHNSON SAYS THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED, AND OPPOSE HIGHER TAXES AND MORE GOVERNMENT.

>> I JUST DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO MEL -- I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO TELL ME HOW IT WILL BENEFIT ME AND THE MY WIFE HERE.

I THINK IT WILL FAVOR THE CITY MORE THAN HOMEOWNERS.

>> HE HAS NO INTEREST IN FINANCING CITY PROJECTS LIKE SWITCHYARD MARK.

MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SAYS IT WILL REDUCE SEWER BILLS AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO POLICE AND RECYCLING, TRANSIT SERVICES AND MORE.

>> FOR THEM, IT FEELS LIKE WHAT IS GOOD FOR ME TO BE IN THE CITY?

I THINK THE QUESTION REALLY IS, WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF BLOOMINGTON?

>> BUT IS THAT ENOUGH TO CONVINCE MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL?

HAMILTON SAYS THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL ONLIER WOULD SEE A $600 TAX INCREASE BUT THAT'S AN AVERAGE THROUGH MORE THAN 9200 ACRES AND 14,300 PEOPLE.

INDIANA CODE STIPULATES MUNICIPALITIES CAN ANNEX AFTER A MAIL NOTICE, PUBLIC OUTREACH, FISCAL PLANS PRESENTATION, PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY PUBLIC FINANCE ECONOMICS PROFESSOR JUSTIN ROSS SAYS THAT MAKES INDIANA'S PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT AND HELPS AVOID URBAN SPRAWL AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.

>> THE BIG TRADEOFF THIS STYLE APPROACH DONE AND YOU CAN SEE THIS MAY OUT, IS THAT IT'S CONSIDERED THE LEAST LIKELY TO HAVE, SAY, THE MOST ADEQUATE PLANNING, THE LEAST AMOUNT OF COMMUNICATION, AND IT'S MOST LIKELY TO HAVE MORE HOSTILITY.

>> THAT'S WHAT COUNTY COMMISSIONER JULIE THOMAS IS WORRIED ABOUT.

>> OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY WHO DON'T KNOW THAT THEY ARE BEING TARGETED FOR ANNEXATION.

INFORMATION WENT OUT AND THIS WAS A BIG COMMUNITY ISSUE IN 2017.

BUT SOME NEW RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED INTO THESE PROPERTIES.

>> THE CITY'S 2016 ANNEXATION PROCESS WAS STOPPED BY A LATE ADDITION.

BLOOMINGTON OFFICIALS SLAMMED IT AS LEGISLATIVE OVERREACH.

THEY SUED AND WON OVERTURNING THE LAW IN DECEMBER OF 2020.

SO ANNEXATION IS BACK.

HAMILTON SAYS ANOTHER ROUND OF MAILINGS WILL BE SENT TO AFFECTED HOMEOWNERS AND A PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 4th.

CITY COUNCIL CAN ONLY LIMIT THE PROPOSED BOUNDARIES OR REVOKE ANY OF THE EIGHT AREAS DURING PROCEEDINGS ON SEPTEMBER 15th.

THOMAS SAYS THAT'S ONLY A FEW MONTHS TO BROWSE THROUGH THE CITY'S 700 PAGE PLAN.

>> THIS' A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATISTICAL INFORMATION AND HOW THE NUMBERS WERE DERIVED.

>> THE COUNTY BASES THE BUDGET ON INCOME TAX BASED ON RESIDENCY.

AND IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY, THAT TAX GETS PAID TO THE CITY, RATHER THAN THE COUNTY.

MONROE COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER ERIC SPOONMORE SAYS THAT AND OTHER TAX SHIFTS COULD AMOUNT TO A $3.7 MILLION CUT.

>> BUT THERE ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTS TO MANY OF THE COUNTY'S FUNDING SOURCES INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, LOCAL INCOME TAX, PUBLIC SAFETY INCOME TAX, MOTOR VEHICLE HIGHWAY, FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX.

REAL TAX, EXCISE TAX.

>> SPOONMORE SAYS HE'S WORRIED THAT ANNEXATION WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO FUND COUNTY-WIDE IS AS MUCH ASS SUCH AS THE HEALTH -- SUCH AS THE HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE FINANCIAL RIPPLE EFFECT ON TAXING UNITS WILL BE TOO.

BUT HAMILTON SAYS THE CITY HAS NO CHOICE.

ANNEXATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS.

>> BUT WE NEED TO CATCH UP OR WE WILL ALWAYS BE BEHIND AND WON'T BE ABLE TO CATCH UP.

>> JENSHAK SAYS IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> WE TEND TO BE MORE ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE AND BLOOMINGTON ALWAYS GOES LIBERAL.

I DON'T THINK MY VOTE WOULD REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH.

>> JENSHAK AND OTHER ANNEXED RESIDENTS WON'T GET TO VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION ANYWAY.

THE PERIOD GOES UNTIL JANUARY 1st, 2024, WHEN THE APPROVED ANNEXATIONS TAKE EFFECT, RIGHT AFTER 2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

>> NOW, CITY COUNCIL HOLDS ANNEXATION HEARINGS SEPTEMBER 15th, BUT IT'S NOT FINAL UNTIL AFTER THE REMONSTRATION PERIOD ENDS IN 2024.

RYAN HOFF JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HOW SOME RESIDENTS CAN PROTEST ANNEXATION.

DURING THIS PERIOD, THE LANDOWNERS WITHIN THE ANNEXATION PERIOD CAN FILE WITH THE COUNTY OPERATOR TO REMONSTR ATE, BUT WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN?

>> THE REMONSTRATORS WOULD NEED 65% OF SIGNATURES FOR EACH ANNEXATION AREA, HAVE THOSE FILED WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, IN ORDER TO INVALIDATE THE ANNEXATION ORDINANCE.

>> AND THEN WHAT WILL THE LANDOWNERS NEED TO PROVE IF THEY FOLLOW THROUGH AND FIGHT THIS THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.

>> YES, IF THE REMONSTRATORS, THEY GET ACCESS TO THE COURT SYSTEM.

IF A COURT IS ASKED TO INVALIDATE AN ANNEXATION, THEY WILL PUT DOWN VARIOUS THINGS LIKE ARE THERE GOING TO BE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE LANDOWNERS IS IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE LANDOWNERS.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT THE COURT WILL LOOK LIKE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE ANNEXATION SHOULD STAND.

IT WOULDN'T JUST BE ARE THERE MORE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO IT THAN SUPPORT IT.

>> BUT CERTAIN PROPERTIES HAVE ANNEXATION REMONSTRATE WAIVERS THAT WAS AN EXCHANGE FOR CITY SERVICES AND SOME OF THOSE DATE BACK YEARS.

IS THERE ANY NEW LEGISLATION ON THAT?

>> SURE.

SO IN 2017, THE INDIANA LAW INVALIDATES ANY NEW WAIVER OF REMONSTRATE RIGHTS, IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SAW FIT TO ALLOW THOSE WAIVERS OF REMONSTRATORS RIGHTS TO LAST FOR 15 YEARS.

THEY HAVE TO BE RECORDED ON TO YOUR PROPERTY'S DEED.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A WAIVER, YOU CAN GO TO THE COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE AND TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR DEED AND FIND OUT.

>> OKAY.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CERTAINLY.

HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> WELL, BLOOMINGTON CITY LEADERS ARE PREPARING TO ROLL OUT THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO ADDRESS HOUSING INSECURITY AND HOMELESSNESS.

THE HOUSING COALITION WAS FORMED BY MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON'S OFFICE SIX MONTHS AGO, TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

ETHAN BURK REPORTS ON THEIR PROGRESS.

>>> PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SEMINARY PARK WERE FORCED OUT OF THEIR TENTS AND ASKED TO LEAVE A FEW TIMES THIS LAST WINTER FOR VIOLATING PARK RULES.

THE PARK PEEL VICKIONS START UP THE -- THE PARK EVICTIONS START UP THE LONG-STANDING QUESTIONS ABOUT MORE HOUSING.

THE CITY HAS PARTNERED WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE BLOOMINGTON FUNCTIONAL ZERO.

>> THAT'S A MILESTONE INDICATING THAT A COMMUNITY HAS MEASURABLY ENDED HOMELESSNESS FOR OUR POPULATION AND ONE COMPONENT AROUND HOUSING INSECURITY.

>> UNITED WAY MONROE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BLOOMINGTON HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND COLLECTING DATA.

ONE OF THEIR KEY FINDINGS WAS A LACK OF INFORMATION ON WHAT HOUSING IS AVAILABLE, FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS.

>> AND THEY FOUND THERE'S NO CENTRALIZED LIST OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR CAPACITY FOR HOUSING IN THIS REGION.

>> MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SAYS THE CITY WILL ASSIST IN PAYING FOR NEW HOUSING INITIATIVES WITH THE FEDERAL FUNDS COMING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, WE MAY LOOK TO USE THESE FUNDS TO EXPAND VOUCHER PROGRAMS OR SUPPORT A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST OR CREATE A LOWER RISK MITIGATION FUND OR OTHER WAYS TO INCREASE ACCESS.

>> THE CITY WILL RECEIVE OVER $22 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OVER THE NEXT THREE FISCAL YEARS.

HAMILTON SAYS A MULTIMILLION DOLLARS CHUNK OF THAT SHOULD GO TOWARDS HOUSING INSECURITY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN BURKS.

>>> THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT A SPENDING PLAN TO CITY COUNCIL AT THE END OF JULY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," LOW-FLYING HELICOPTERS AND LOUD BANGS FROM NIGHTTIME MILITARY EXERCISE THIS WEEK IN BLOOMINGTON AND ELSEWHERE LEFT SOME RESIDENTS SHAKEN AND THE BLOOM IN BLOOM IN BOOM IN DOWN -- BOOM IN DOWNTOWN APARTMENT BUILDINGS IS ASKING SOME WHAT IS IT TOO MUCH?

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE U.S. ARMY SAYS LATE NIGHT TRAINING EXERCISES THIS WEEK IN MONROE COUNTY WERE DESIGNED TO PRACTICE FLYING IN CLOSE QUARTER COMBAT TECHNIQUES BUT MOST RESIDENTS WERE UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN HELICOPTERS SWOOPED IN.

HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON'S OFFICE WAS ASKED NOT TO MAKE A BROAD PUBLIC NOTIFICATION ABOUT MILITARY TRAININGS EARLIER THIS WEEK IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE EXER SIZE BUT THE U.S. ARMY SAYS SECURING THESE TYPES OF TRAINING IS ALL ABOUT APPROPRIATELY TIMED COMMUNICATION.

IT SEEP WORKS WITH LOCAL LEADERS -- IT EVEN WORKS WITH LOCAL LEADERS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME.

>> NOT ONLY DO THEY HELP US LOGISTICALLY BUT IT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE TRAINING VALUE FOR OUR SOLDIERS TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

>> THE ARMY RECOMMENDED A REVERSE 911 MESSAGE AS THE BEST FORM OF COMMUNICATION BEFORE MILITARY HELICOPTERS DESCENDED ON THE FORMER NIGHT MOVES BUILDING.

INSTEAD SOME RESIDENTS ON SOUTH SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON RECEIVED FLYERS ON MONDAY.

A LOT OF RESIDENTS NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION.

BUT AFTER THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TUESDAY'S TRAINING IN ELLETSVILLE, ONE MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE, SPECIFICALLY VETERANS WITH PTSD.

>> THE SOUNDS OF WAR ARE GOING TO CAUSE THEM TO BE, UM, REALLY EMOTIONALLY UNREGULATED AND UPSET AND SOMETIMES DO SOME REALLY UNUSUAL THANKS THAT ARE NOT LIKE THEMSELVES.

>> FELL.

S IS A LICENSE -- PHELPS IS A LICENSED EMERD.

IT STANDS FOR EYE MOVEMENT DECENTRALIZATION AND REPROCESSING.

PHELPS SAYS EMDR IS A POTENTIAL TOOL TO HELP REDUCE THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL ILLNESS AND VETERANS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLD HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> A BILL SPONSORED BY TODD YOUNG AIMED AT CURBING CHINA'S INFLUENCE IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW.

IT WOULD POUR $250 BILLION INTO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE COUNTRY MORE COMPETITIVE WITH CHINA.

10 BILLION DOLLARS WOULD GO TOWARDS THE CREATION OF 18 REGIONAL TECH HUBS.

>> SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEED THE NEXT SILICON VALLEYS ACROSS THE HEARTLAND AND I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES THAT AWAIT THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID IN A STATEMENT HE WOULD SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW AS SOON AS IT PASSES THE HOUSE.

>> FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES IN THE DOWNTOWN HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY, AND WHILE IT HAS LED TO A BUSTLING DOWNTOWN, IT HAS ALSO RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MUCH STUDENT HOUSING IS TOO MUCH.

AS PART OF OUR CITY LIMITS PROJECT, PAT BEANE EXPLORES HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE.

>> AT THE CORNER OF 11th AND COLLEGE, A CRANE IS LIFTING A WORKER UP TO A SECOND STORY WINDOW AS CONSTRUCTION CREWS RACE TO FINISH ONE OF THE LATEST APARTMENT BILLINGS BUILDING GOING UP IN DOWNTOWN.

THE BENTLEY WILL HAVE 34 UNITS AND SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN AUGUST, JUST IN TIME FOR THE START OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FALL CLASSES.

THERE WERE DOZENS OF BUILDINGS LIKE THIS OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES AND THAT HAS LISTENERS ASKING WHEN DOES IT BECOME OVERSATURATED WITH APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

>> THERE ARE SOME WHO LIKE BLOOMINGTON THE WAY IT IS.

AND I DO TOO.

>> COCHRANE WORKS IN DEVELOPMENT AND HE SITS ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

AS THE SIZE OF THE UNIVERSITY POPULATION INCREASES, IT'S ABOUT 43,000 NOW, THE NEED FOR HOUSING INCREASES.

>> RIGHT NOW IN BLOOMINGTON WE ARE AT ABOUT A 98% OCCUPANCY RATE.

SO WE GET NICE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT LOOK AT OUR OCCUPANCY RATE, AND THEY SEE OUR WONDERFUL UNIVERSITY, AND IT'S VERY PREDICTABLE ON THE STUDENTS COMING IN.

SO IT'S A PRETTY EASY INVESTMENT.

>> WHILE NEW APARTMENT COMPLEXES HAVE SEEMINGLY SPRUNG UP ON EVERY OTHER STREET CORNER DOWNTOWN.

COCHRANE SAYS IT'S WHAT THE CITY ENVISIONS TWO DECADES AGO IN THE 2002 GROWTH POLICIES PLAN.

>> THEY SAID THEY WANTED MORE HOUSING DOWNTOWN.

THEY WANTED MORE DENSITY.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE GOT.

>> ALONG WITH BRINGING RESIDENTS TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA, THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES WERE ABLE TO FILL VACANT LOTS AND REPLACE DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS.

SMALLWOOD SAYS THE TUNE WHEN IT COMED IN 2004.

IT SITS WHERE ST SEMICON BUILDING IT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH TOXIC MATERIALS AND EYE SORE.

IT WAS DEMOLISHED IN 2003 TO MAKE WITH WAY FOR SMALLWOOD AND NOW ALLED THE AVENUE, THE EIGHT-STORY 220 PLUS APARTMENT COMPLEX WAS THE POSTER BOY FOR ANTISTUDENT HOUSING.

>> WHEN SMALLWOOD HAPPENED THAT WAS A $43 MILLION PROJECT AT THE TIME.

I MEAN THAT ADDED SO MUCH TO THE TAX BASE.

THE CITY WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT MONEY AND SPEND IT ON IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN, AND -- >> STILL, COCHRANE SAYS SMALLWOOD WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING BUILT TODAY.

>> I DOUBT WE WOULD EVER APPROVE ANOTHER SMALLWOOD BUT THAT WAS -- THEY TOOK A CHANCE EARLY ON IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR DOWNTOWN, AND THEY CLEANED UP A SITE THAT REALLY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED UP.

>> ALL THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON THE BLOOMINGTON SKYLINE.

>> SOME CONSTITUENTS HAVE TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, I DON'T LIKE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU DRIVE DOWN COLLEGE OR WALNUT, AND YOU GET THIS KIND OF CANYON EFFECT, AND LESS AND LESS SUNSHINE, AND IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE BLOOMINGTON ANYMORE.

>> BUT THE TIDES ARE SHIFTING.

AND THE CITY'S 2018 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH REPLACED THE 2002 GROWTH POLICIES PLAN, THERE'S A PUSH FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SENIOR-ORIENTED HOUSING IN THE DOWNTOWN MIX.

>> WE WANT MORE DIVERSE HOUSING IN THE DOWNTOWN.

>> THAT NEW STUDENT HOUSING CATEGORY WILL SHOW DEVELOPERS, LOOK THIS IS WHERE WE WANT THE STUDENT HOUSING.

WE WANT IT ON THE NORTH DUNN, OR WE WANT IT ON, YOU KNOW, WOODLAWN OR OTHER PLACES, AND WE HAVE ENOUGH DOWNTOWN.

>> THE PIEDMONT SMITH SAYS HAVING STUDENTS LIVING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN IS PREFERRABLE TO HAVING NO ONE LIVING THIS, WHICH WAS THE CASE DECADES AGO.

>> THE STUDENTS SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES.

I MEAN, THE ONLY REASON WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THESE COFFEE SHOPS AND ALL OF THESE RESTAURANTS IS BECAUSE OF THE STUDENTS.

>> COCHRANE SAYS THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOME PUSHBACK AGAINST STUDENT HOUSING IN THE CITY.

HE TELLS OF A LOCAL DEVELOPER IN THE 1960s WHO HAD COME INTO HIS OFFICE TO TALK SHOP.

>> I SAID WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES AND WHAT DID PEOPLE SAY IN 1968?

HE SAID, BLOOMINGTON WOULD COME TO ME AND SAY BLOOMINGTON DOESN'T NEED ANY MORE STUDENT HOUSING.

HE SAYS WE DON'T NEED THAT AND HE GOT SO MUCH PUSHBACK.

>> AND THAT'S THE SAME ARGUMENT THE CITY CONTINUES TO HAVE TODAY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> LOCAL PAINTERS WERE HARD AT WORK, MAKING A LARGE PIECE OF ART NEAR SWITCHYARD PARK IN BLOOMINGTON OVER THE WEEKEND.

GEORGE HA ALE REPORTS.

>> THE ARTISTS BRAVED THE HEAT AND THE CICADAS IT WAS A PAINT BY NUMBERS MURAL NEAR THE ENTRANCE.

ONE OF THE ARTS IS CLOUGH I DUKES --CHLOE DUKES AT I.

U.

'S O'NEILL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.

SHE'S LEARNING PRACTICUM HOURS AT THE GLASS CENTER AND HEADED UP THE MURAL EVENT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS BECAUSE THAT'S HOW YOU KIND OF BRING THE COMMUNITY TO GO.

WE DID A CALL FOR ARTISTS, STUDENTS, LOCAL ARTISTS ALL OF THAT GOOD STUFF IN THE BLOOMINGTON AREA AND SURROUNDING OUTSIDE AREAS AS WELL.

>> THEY ULTIMATELY SETTLED ON CAROL HEEDEN, A LOCAL COLLAGE AND STAINED GLASS AREA WHOSE AREAS OF EXPERTISE MATCHED THE CENTER'S VISION.

>> THEY ALL SUBMITTED THEIR OWN PORTFOLIOS AND WE SAW SOME REALLY GREAT DIFFERENT THINGS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I THINK CAROL'S STYLE OF LIKE, KIND OF READING A STAINED GLASS WORKED REALLY WELL WITH THE GLASS CENTER.

>> THE GLASS CENTER'S FOUNDER AT THE GITLITZ SAYS IT REFLECTS PLANS FOR THE GLASS CENTER TO RETURN TO NORMAL AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

>> SO ONCE WE ARE DONE PAINTING ALL OF THE PANELS AND IT IT'S MADE OUT OF SEVEN INDIVIDUAL PANELS, WE'LL PUT THEM TOGETHER AND WE'RE TO GO PUT TWO PANELS ON ONE SIDE OF OUR BUILDING AND THEN FIVE PANELS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING.

WHEN THEY ARE ALL PUT TOGETHER, IT WILL MAKE THREE COMPLETE PICTURES.

AND SO THEY WILL BE EXTERNAL MURALS.

>> AND IT MARKS THE START OF A SERIES.

EBBSEBB -- SERIES OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE LOUD.

>> THE NEXT ONE WILL BE JULY 3rd AND MY GOAL IS TO BLOW THINGS UP BECAUSE IT IS THE DAY BEFORE THE 4th OF JULY.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GEORGE HALE.

>> WELL, EXPERTS SAY THE NUMBER OF BROOD X DID I SADIES SI CADEIES WITH THE LAST APPEARANCE -- SI CADEIES 17 YEARS AGO.

>> THE NUMBER OF BROOD X SI CICADAS IS ON PAR.

COLDER SPRING WEATHER DELAYED THE EMERGENCE OF CICADAS BY ALMOST ONE WEEK BUT IT'S HARDLY A FACTOR ONCE THEY ARE ABOVE GROUND.

THE ONLY WEATHER STANDING IN THEIR WAY IS RAIN.

>> IT IS SURPRISING, YOU KNOW.

IF IT STARTS RAINING AND IT'S CLOUDY, WHICH OF COURSE IT WOULD BE, THEY JUST SORT OF STOP.

>> HANGARTER SAYS RECENT CONSTRUCTION COULD BE THE REASON FOR CICADA COVERAGE APPEARING MORE SPORADIC.

>> AREAS WHERE THERE'S NEW DEVELOPMENTS USUALLY THEY ARE DOWN BECAUSE ALL THE TREES WERE DAMAGED OR REMOVED OR THE TREES ARE TOO YOUNG, THEY WERE PLANTED TOO FAR FROM 2004.

>> HE SAYS THE TOTAL POPULATION OF CICADAS IS CURRENTLY PEAKING WITH THE LATEST EMERGENCE AT THE LEND OF LAST WEEK.

IT TAKES ONE WEEK FOR VISIBLE SIGNS OF EACH EMERGENCE.

>> THE ADULTS APPARENTLY LIVE ABOUT TWO WEEKS IN THE ADULT FORM UNTIL THEY FINISHED MATING AND THEN THEY DIE.

AND SO WE REALLY SHOULDN'T GO MUCH BEYOND TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.

>> HANGARTER ANTICIPATES A HANDFUL OF LATE ARRIVALS BUT SAYS THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION WILL TAPER OFF BY THE END OF JUNE.

AFTER THE ADULTS CICADAS DIE, THE ONLY THING LEFT TO DO IS WATCH THE BABIES HATCH IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST.

SMALL WHITE EGGS WITH TWO BLACK DOTS WILL BE VISIBLE USING A MAGNIFYING GLASS.

>> LIKE ALL BABIES THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THEY WOBBLE AROUND ON THE BRANCHES AND FALL TO THE GROUND AND FIND THEIR WAY INTO LITTLE CREVASSES TO GET DOWN TO ROOTS.

>> YOU CAN EVEN PLACE A TWIG IN A CONTAINER AND WATCH THE EGGS HATCH ON YOUR OWN.

BUT FIRST PLACE A DAMPER PAPER INSIDE TO CONTROL MOISTURE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> AND TWO FORMER U.S.

SENATORS FROM INDIANA WILL BE JOINING THE STAFF AT I.U., FORMER SENATOR AND INDIANA GOVERNOR EVAN BAYH WILL JOIN THE O'NEILL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AS AN EXECUTIVE AT LARGE, DAN COATES WILL JOIN THE HAMILTON LUGAR SCHOOL OF GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AS AN AMBASSADOR AT LARGE.

THEY WILL HOLD THE TITLE OF DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR.

>>> AND THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT THE WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: