The city of Bloomington plans to install 10-foot-tall limestone blocks with the lettering “Bloomington” to welcome people at the city's northern gateway — provided the public feedback is less venomous than toward the now-abandoned plans for a 40-foot monolith.
The limestone sculpture would be part of the city’s Bicentennial Project at the north end of Miller-Showers Park in the triangle of land between College Avenue, Walnut Street, and the Old State Road 37 crossover.
Tim Street, interim director of the parks department, said Friday the feedback to the monolith plans prompted city leaders to revert to an earlier design concept, provided by Indianapolis-based REA, the same firm that also designed the monolith.
The city will continue to seek input until Dec. 15, and Street said he hopes a decision will be made in the first quarter of next year.
Street said he expects the limestone to be sourced from a local quarry, though which one is still to be determined.
The letters on the limestone blocks would be backlit, and Street said colors could be changed during events, such as Indiana University home games, Earth Day and Pridefest.
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