Mayor proposes downtown arts district

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan laid out his plans Wednesday afternoon in hopes of fulfilling an important campaign promise. The Plan: Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District, or BEAD.\nKruzan presented the idea -- which would to turn the downtown into an arts district -- at a press conference of about 40 people. It would turn Kirkwood Avenue into an arts row, featuring more specialty shops, a festival corridor and turn western downtown into a boutique area featuring restaurants and art galleries. \nThe project will also feature a youth area and show space for the performing arts as well as a brand new walking path through the heart of downtown.\nKruzan admitted the plan was a time commitment but also said it was quite worth the hours put in.\n"We put hundreds of hours into this project and are very excited about this project as it will thrive downtown Bloomington and the economy," he said.\nKruzan also said this was a joint effort and no one person should take credit for the project.\n"We had about 60 volunteers and each one of them was very important in making this project a reality," he said.\nThe city's communications director Maria Heslin also briefly spoke at the press conference, saying the arts district would bring more global competition to Bloomington.\nSophia Travis, the Monroe County Councilwoman and a local musician, was a little concerned about including all aspects of art but thinks the city has a good vision.\n"I applaud the city for getting this project to the forefront, hopefully though it fully recognizes all people at all levels," she said.\nThirteen year old Nathan Price of Harmony School, who was job-shadowing the city's economic developer Ron Walker Tuesday, was specially asked back to the conference do give his input on the youth area.\n"I think it really needs a Graffiti wall in the youth area so people can freely express themselves," he said.\nThough the arts district is still some time away from being completed Kruzan believes it will spice up Bloomington.\n"While this project will take years we hope to work with many businesses on it and think it will culturally enrich the community," he said. \nFor those interested in giving more input on the project the city will hold a public meeting on from 5:30-7 Tuesday, May 23, in the city hall atrium.