Duke Energy is proposing to build an electric substation on an elevated site at the northwest corner of 11th and Rogers Streets in Bloomington. The site is across the street from the Trades District, which is home to Upland Brewing Company and the proposed Technology Park. The site is just north of the B-Line Trail, and the Farmer’s Market, and less than 300 feet from a number of homes in the Maple Heights neighborhood. The project, as proposed, is a bare bones and extremely unsophisticated design that will not only be an eyesore for this rapidly developing part of Bloomington, but will also cause noise disturbances for its adjacent neighbors. It is a suburban solution for an urban infrastructure. Many cities have implemented substation technologies that help blend these infrastructures into the urban landscape (e.g., within buildings, or underground).  The impact this project can have on this area of the city is vast. It prevents the integration of the northwest side to downtown; it has the potential to depress property values; it disrupts the positive development of this area that has already taken root. All citizens and businesses of Bloomington, those of us who love this city and are excited for its future, are called upon to voice their support of the City of Bloomington in working with Duke to find a better solution, one that mitigates the negative effects of this substation project on current and future citizens.  Visit http://substationsolutions.info for more information.