This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 10th, 2022

Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with President of the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation Margaret Clements who claims the county has received enough signatures to legally oppose annexation in at least eight out of the nine proposed annexed areas. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the John Waldron Arts Center reopened last week after being closed for nearly two years. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines.

The John Waldron Arts Center Reopens After an Almost Two-Year Closure

Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.

Following a 21-month closure, the John Waldron Arts Center reopened on January 4th for use by the public and visual and performing artists.

According to a press release from the City of Bloomington, large events are not expected to take place until later in the year due to a recent spike in Covid-19 cases. A reopening celebration originally planned for last Friday will be rescheduled to a later date.

The John Waldron Arts Center, or simply the Waldron, was built in 1915. It formerly served as Bloomington City Hall and housed the city’s police and fire departments through 1985. In 1990, the city deeded the property to the Bloomington Area Arts Council. The building has since remained an arts venue, and since 1994, has been home to WFHB Community Radio.

In 2010, the city sold the building to Ivy Tech who operated it as an arts space for the next ten years. Then, in December 2020, Ivy Tech announced it would sell the building back to the city, reverting ownership in January 2021.

Since taking ownership of the building one year ago, the city organized the Waldron Task Force, which recommended repairs of the facility. In May of last year, the city announced a $515,000 commitment for capital improvements to address deferred maintenance of the facility as part of the Recover Forward initiative aimed to help the community recover from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Repairs included an upgraded HVAC system to comply with Actors Equity Association requirements, restoration to the building’s windows in a historically accurate manner, a completion of roof repairs, an update of all light fixtures to LED and a repair of water damage throughout the building. In a press release, the city says it’s currently repairing the downspout filtration system to prevent future flooding in the building.

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton says of the reopening, “This substantial public investment in the required repairs at the Waldron demonstrates the City’s commitment to the arts in Bloomington. The arts need a public space that they can call home. While the Waldron is not a purpose-built space, it continues to serve our arts community, contribute to our local economy, and improve our community’s quality of life.”

According to the press release, the city plans to maintain management of the building for the first half of 2022 while conducting negotiations with a third-party for long-term management of the building beginning in July of this year. Inquiries about using the Waldron Arts Center can be directed to Holly Warren, Assistant Director for the Arts, City of Bloomington, at [email protected].

Warming Stations in Monroe County for Temporary Relief

As temperatures drop to dangerously cold levels, several warming stations in Monroe County will open their doors for temporary relief.

In a press release, the county says these stations are for residents without heat who can come to warm up and continue on their way.

Warmup stations do not include food, showers or places to sleep. If county residents are in need of overnight shelter,