"Blooming Council Unanimously Greenlights Urgent Historic Mill Repairs" - Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission, April 24, 2025

"Blooming Council Unanimously Greenlights Urgent Historic Mill Repairs" - Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission, April 24, 2025

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### Headline:

**Historic Mill Wall Repair Approved Amid Safety Concerns**

### Article:

In an urgent and decisive response to a structural threat, the Blooming Historic Preservation Commission convened on April 24, 2025, to address the precarious condition of a historic mill's south wall. The emergency meeting, which saw a unanimous vote for extensive repairs, underscored the community’s commitment to preserving its architectural heritage while ensuring public safety.

The session opened with routine matters but quickly pivoted to the critical agenda item: the deteriorating wall of the mill at 642 North Madison Street, part of the Showers Furniture Historic District. The building, a cornerstone of local heritage, was reported to have a wall leaning dangerously outward, a condition that prompted immediate action from city officials and engineers.

JD Bor, representing the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, detailed the alarming findings. "The south wall of the mill building was leaning toward the exterior by over four inches at the top," Bor explained, adding that emergency shoring methods had already been implemented to stabilize the structure temporarily. These measures included exterior shoring with metal jack poles and an internal stud wall to support the roof load.

The proposed repair plan, meticulously outlined in the submitted documents, involves deconstructing the western two-thirds of the problematic wall down to the first-story windows. "The existing bricks will be cleaned and reused," Bor assured the commission. "If there is need to replace any damaged or broken bricks, historically correct bricks will be used."

Commission members expressed their satisfaction with the thoroughness of the report and the proposed methods. Duncan Campbell noted, "I like that they're going to match the original mortar, which is what we did on this building and all the rest of them. That's the spec that should be followed."

However, the urgency of the situation was palpable when the executive director of the redevelopment commission revealed the financial strains imposed by the wall's instability. "The mill is missing out on quite a bit of income during this wedding and graduation season, approximately $50,000 in total," he disclosed, emphasizing the need for swift action.

The commission's unanimous approval of the repair work, estimated at around $500,000 with $100,000 already spent on initial shoring, reflects both the gravity of the situation and the community's resolve to preserve its historical structures. "We are hoping to come in way under budget and ahead of schedule, but we gave ourselves some room to work with because of the nature of any construction project," commented one of the members during the discussion.

The approval not only addresses the immediate safety concerns but also serves as a testament to the city's dedication to maintaining its historical integrity amidst modern challenges. As the mill awaits its necessary refurbishments, the community watches on, hopeful for a swift and successful restoration that honors its rich past while securing its future.

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