open #202865
Unsafe Buildings
348 W 11th ST
- Case Date:
- 5/22/2025
Subject: Formal Complaint and Damage Notification – Fallen Tree Incident at the corner of 700 Ashlynn Park Dr. & 300 W. 11th St. Bloomington, IN near Upland Brewery. Dear City of Bloomington Officials, We (Katherine & Renas Van Lue) are writing to formally report an incident involving a hazardous tree that resulted in significant damage to our parked vehicle. The tree in question, located near the sidewalk and parking meter of 700 Ashlynn Park Dr. & 300 W. 11th St. Bloomington, IN ( near Upland Brewery )dropped a large bough on our car on the night of May 21,2025 at approximately 10:40pm. This location is marked by a clearly deteriorating and partially dead tree, which appears to have been neglected for a significant period. As seen in the attached daytime Google Maps Street View (screenshot dated 2025) and our personal photographs taken at the time of the incident as well as the next day during daylight hours, the tree shows clear signs of rot and structural instability. It is evident that this tree posed a danger to public safety and property, especially in an area with active parking meters and pedestrian traffic. The incident has resulted in physical damage to our vehicle, which was legally parked by the curb at a paid meter. A section of the tree broke off and landed directly on the front of our car, causing not only structural damage but also significant inconvenience and cost. Two witnesses were at the scene. This situation could have easily led to personal injury had someone been present near the vehicle at the time. Given the foreseeable and preventable nature of this hazard, we respectfully urge the City of Bloomington to: 1. Investigate the incident and confirm the ownership and maintenance responsibility of the tree in question. 2. Take immediate action to remove or professionally inspect the remaining portion of the tree to prevent further harm. 3. Reimburse or assist with damage-related expenses caused by the City’s negligence in maintaining public safety. safety. We would like to note that after the incident, we called police to report what had happened and police just said to contact our insurance instead. No police report was made. Our insurance company has been notified and a claim has been filed. We have not been given any estimates of the damage. We are awaiting for an adjuster to come and view the damage. Please let me know the next steps in initiating a formal claim for property damage and what further documentation may be required. We are reachable by phone at 812-617-5016 or 773-564-3266 and by email which is provided at the top of this letter. We would appreciate timely communication. Thank you for your attention to this serious safety matter. We hope the City takes swift and responsible action to prevent similar incidents in the future. Sincerely, Katherine and Renas Van Lue