Bloomington, Ind. – Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress. PARKS & RECREATION Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park– Parks staff this week installed decorative fencing at the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park playground, to provide a barrier between the playground and Lincoln and Smith Streets. Staff also prepared the decorative fountain at the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park for summertime operations, and turned it on for the season. Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool– In preparation for the May 27 opening of Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool, Parks and Recreation aquatics program staff installed three new, 10' deck umbrellas at each pool. The umbrellas were funded by the Bloomington Health Foundation, who is partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department this summer on sun safety initiatives at the pool by providing the umbrellas and free sunscreen. ENGINEERING 10th & Jefferson St / Railroad Overpass: Retaining Wall Repair– The City completed the repair and reconstruction of the retaining wall at the sidewalk along 10th Street at the railroad overpass. The retaining wall, constructed in 2006, collapsed during a heavy rain event last year. The close proximity of the wall to the railroad tracks required extensive coordination with Indiana Rail Road causing the extending delay on the repair. Smock Fansler Corporation from Indianapolis was the contractor for the project. Smock Fansler started the work Friday, May 19, and completed it Sunday morning, May 21 to optimize working hours based upon the train schedule. Retaining Wall before Repair (photo shows a collapsed wall with gravel over a portion of the sidewalk and large limestone blocks temporarily retaining the slope) Retaining Wall after Repair (photo shows the reconstructed retaining wall with limestone blocks above the concrete blocks to provide additional slope support) PUBLIC WORKS Resurfacing Project– During the week of May 30th, weather permitting, the Department of Public Works Street Division crews are scheduled to resurface South Madison Street from W Country Club Dr to Dead End, and West Coolidge Drive from S Rogers St to S Bryan St and S Bryan Street from Camden Dr to Dead End. The Division will prep streets prior to resurfacing and will have restrictions during work hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Signage will be posted. View an interactive map of 2023 paving projects at: https://bton.in/tpNzZ

In accordance with a new city code passed by City Council in late 2022 and being implemented June 12, vehicles with six or more unpaid citations may now be towed and impounded. Once towed, the vehicle owner must provide proof that the parking citations have been paid before the vehicle will be released. The City of Bloomington Parking Services division will begin notifying vehicle owners with multiple citations via email and U.S. Mail with information and steps to avoid being towed (provided at the links below) prior to June 12.

On Friday, May 19, a three-judge panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals unanimously denied county residents opposing annexation an early appeal of the trial court’s ruling that they cannot have a second 90-day remonstrance period. This decision affirms the path for the annexation trial to proceed; it is scheduled from November 13 through 17 of this year.

Mayor John Hamilton and CDFI Friendly Bloomington (CFB) Executive Director Jane Kupersmith attended the kickoff event for CDFI Friendly Evansville Region, the newest sibling organization in the CDFI Friendly America (CFA) network. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the CDFI Friendly Evansville Region Advisory Group hosted 150 individuals, including community and CDFI partners, at the University of Evansville Campus on May 17.

In today’s video update, Mayor John Hamilton and Innovation Director Devta Kidd discuss innovation at the City of Bloomington.