News Releases

The City of Bloomington invites community members to a celebration of the installation of the artwork Aurora Almanac at the Trades District Garage.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, in partnership with the Equality Federation, has announced that Bloomington has again been awarded a perfect score on the annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Now in its tenth year, the index of 506 cities nationwide uses 49 criteria to evaluate how inclusive a city’s laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Bloomington was one of 110 cities in the U.S. to earn a perfect score this year, up from 94 last year. 

Installation of the Fourth Street Garage’s custom artwork beginning Monday, November 29 will require closure of the eastbound lane of Fourth Street between College Avenue and Walnut Street, and the sidewalk on the south side of the street from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Thursday, December 2. The left, parking lane of Walnut St. and the sidewalk on the west side of the street will be closed (and unavailable for parking) between Third and Fourth Streets from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., December 3 through 17. The closures have been approved by the Board of Public Works.

A single positive COVID-19 viral test result has been reported among the City workforce since the November 18 update. This week’s case was not linked to a previous case at the City.

Soil samples taken from properties where debris was most heavily dispersed after the November 5 controlled burn do not contain levels of lead exceeding IDEM limits for residential or direct contact exposure.

The City of Bloomington will offer free parking on the street downtown and in City garages from Thursday, November 25 through Sunday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday and to support downtown business activity.  

The city will host three USA Softball girls fastpitch championships in 2022, one in 2023

One City Hall employee, one employee of the Department of Public Works (DPW), and one Bloomington Transit (BT) employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week.

The City of Bloomington invites community members to a celebration of the completion of the North Star/Hoosier Line art installations at Switchyard Park.

Mayor John Hamilton announced today that the City of Bloomington and Meridiam have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the firm to build and operate a fiber network to bring high-speed internet to Bloomington residences. By the end of the year, the City plans to enter into an agreement with the infrastructure developer to construct an open-access fiber-optic network delivering gigabit-class (and greater) broadband service throughout Bloomington, including the city’s low-income neighborhoods.  Meridiam intends to begin construction in 2022.

Air testing conducted by Environmental Assurance Company, Inc. (EACI) and  VET Environmental Engineering, LLC (VET) at the City’s direction indicates that there is no detectable lead dust contamination in the air surrounding the site of the controlled burn conducted at 1213 South High Street on November 5. 

The City of Bloomington invites community members to a ribbon-cutting marking the completion of the 7-Line, a transformation of 7th Street providing a protected east-west bicycle lane, improved bus stops, and improved pedestrian features. 

The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) continue to investigate and address environmental impacts of the controlled burn of a structure at 1213 South High Street on Friday, November 5. The BFD has developed a map of affected properties based on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)’s evaluation integrated with results of lead testing completed by the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND).    

Palo Alto Mayor Tom DuBois and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton announced today a proposal to establish a Sibling Cities relationship, the first domestic relationship of its kind between United States cities. The relationship seeks to foster community building, further goodwill and enhance civic dialogue and public policy discussions in the two cities through a new organization, Sibling Cities USA. The Palo Alto City council will consider approval of the relationship on November 15 and Bloomington City Council will follow shortly thereafter.

The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) are leading the cleanup of debris generated by the controlled burn of a structure at 1213 South High Street on Friday, November 5. Residents in the vicinity may request that their property be evaluated for remediation by completing this form on the City’s website. After encountering delays in contracting with one environmental remediation company, the BFD is working to identify and contract with an alternate service provider to conduct the evaluation and cleanup, to be offered at no charge to affected residents.  

The nature preserve is closed beginning at 11 p.m. on Fridays through 5 a.m. the following Monday.

Water service must be shut off each fall to prevent damage to supply lines and fixtures.

The Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) completed a controlled live burn training series at 1213 South High Street Tuesday through Friday of this week.  Already slated and approved for demolition, the two-story house at that address was donated by the owners for use by the BFD as an opportunity to conduct live fire training.  All of the required permits for the training were granted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and published in the Herald Times on September 21.