B-Line Trail set to undergo construction

The ground breaking ceremony for the B-Line Trail, a new economic and tourism development, was held May 20.\nThe trail was purchased by Bloomington officials in 2005 in hopes of utilizing the area the CSX train company left behind when it removed the old railroad track. \nThe project will be broken up into three phases of construction, with the first being .61 miles long. The trail will total 3.05 miles in length upon completion of phase three.\n“It cuts right through the heart of downtown,” said Mick Renneisen, director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Renneisen believes the trail will have many positive effects for the city and its residents.\n“We surveyed citizens in 2001 and 2006 and found that walking and biking for pleasure was the No. 1 activity in the city of Bloomington and that everyone wanted more trails for these activities,” Renneisen said.\nRenneisen also said the project was Mayor Mark Kruzan’s top economic-development project. The mayor, in a speech given during the ceremony, said “the trail is about fun, finance and future.” He said the city has big plans for the B-Line Trail.\nAs well as providing a place for community members to exercise and enjoy nice weather, the mayor and other city officials are hoping the trail will become an attraction for local businesses and increase tourism.\nDave Williams, operations and development director for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, is optimistic about the economic possibilities. \n“Simplistically, businesses had originally turned their back sides to the railroad, and I think what you’ll see here are businesses embracing the trail,” Williams said. “One business has already put in windows to face the trail.” \nThanks to funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation as well as donations from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Bloomington Board of Realtors, construction is set to begin now and continue through 2010.\n“We’re not certain what the time line for construction will be, but the city itself has moved ahead with the design,” Williams said.\nMany local community members turned out for the ground-breaking ceremony and were excited about the prospect of the new trail. Nan Brewer, the IU Art Museum’s Lucienne M. Glaubinger curator of works on paper, only lives two miles from downtown and is hoping to be able to use the new trail as a way to commute to the city.\n“We’re excited about the possibility of it all linking up since we live so close, as well as the possibility for economic growth and arts development,” Brewer said.\nThe trail is being called a “linear park,” or a park in a line shape that runs along the trail, with areas being set aside for “pocket parks” along the trail. It will also include local art and areas for shade, benches and drinking fountains. The trail will run close to many popular tourism spots in Bloomington.\n“The trail is bordered by destination attractions like WonderLab, Kirkwood Street and the city market,” Renneisen said. \n“We’re really hoping the back of businesses facing the trail will become the front.” he added, intimating his hope for economic growth due to the trail.\nThe B-Line Trail may soon be a major Bloomington tourist attraction, Kruzan said.\n“Today we add to Bloomington’s unique feel and flavor,” Kruzan said during his speech Tuesday morning. “The B-Line has been the talk of the town. It will now become the walk of the town.”