Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus is hosting a dedication of the new Ivy Tech Waldron Plaza and celebration of 122 South Walnut Street’s building centennial. The event will be held on Friday, June 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center. Brief remarks will be made at 5:15 p.m. In honor of the building’s centennial, Mayor Mark Kruzan, has declared the day “Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington John Waldron Building Day.”
“100 years after it was constructed, the Waldron Building still plays a significant role in our community,” said Chancellor Jennie Vaughan, Ivy Tech-Bloomington. “The purpose of our centennial celebration in the new plaza is to honor the Waldron building’s history, and celebrate its present and future role in our community as the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center.”
The Ivy Tech Waldron plaza is located along Fourth Street, which features inviting and pedestrian-friendly entries, a custom walkway, green space, and spaces suited for public art and performance.
The plaza makes the area safer now that it separates pedestrians from parallel automobile parking spaces, and accommodates new bicycle lanes. Street lighting was also added to make the Ivy Tech Waldron more inviting for the public during dark hours.
“We are thrilled to have the Ivy Tech Waldron Plaza, and I want to thank The City of Bloomington for requesting the funding support of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission to make this project a reality,” said Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor Jennie Vaughan. “Without the support of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, and grants from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, and the Indiana Arts Commission, this project would not have been possible.”
The centennial celebration in the Ivy Tech Waldron plaza will feature Bea’s Soda Bar, La Poblana Taco Truck, Libations by One World Catering, and music provided by building tenet and community partner WFHB. Following the public plaza celebration, guests are invited to browse Ivy Tech Waldron galleries during First Friday.
Landscaping for the plaza celebration was donated by Sowders Landscaping.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
