Bloomington Looks To Protect Courthouse Square Buildings

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — City officials in Bloomington are looking to prevent demolition of buildings around the Monroe County Courthouse square by designating it as a local historic district.

The square is about five blocks from the Indiana University campus and is highlighted by the 1907 domed courthouse. It's already listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

City neighborhood development manager Nancy Hiestand told downtown property owners Monday that a local historic designation would strengthen a demolition delay that's been in place since 2005.

The Herald-Times reports Rob McCrea of a downtown law firm asked planners to consider additional costs that property owners might face, but said he believed the city should move ahead with the historical designation.