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March 2023 News Releases

Image of two adults with small child holding a sunflower looking at a booth of vegetables

Farmers’ Market Opens for the Season; MLK Remembrance Week; and Arbor Day at Switchyard Park–April Events and Programs

Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage, socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and within the City, and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.

Network cables and optic fibers on bright blue background

Hoosier Fiber Networks, GigabitNow, and City Provide Update on High Speed Fiber Project

Join Mayor John Hamilton and representatives from Hoosier Fiber Networks and GigabitNow in the South Griffy neighborhood (https://bton.in/4mU-Y) for exciting updates on the high-speed fiber project.

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Video Update: Community Survey

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss the 2023 Community Survey.

Mayor at the Market logo on top of vegetables photo

Mayor at the Market Returns for the First Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market of the Season

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market opens for the 2023 season on Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Showers Common, 401 N. Morton Street, next to Bloomington's City Hall. Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael will both be at the first market of the season from 10 a.m.-noon, ready to greet and chat with the Bloomington community. Find them by looking for the Mayor at the Market signage on the north end of the market next to the Parks Department tent. 

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Regional Leaders Launch Project 46: New Bipartisan, Cross-Sector, Multi-County Climate Change Alliance

On Friday, March 24, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, Nashville Town Manager Sandie Jones, and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton gathered at the Nashville Town Hall to announce the launch and next steps of a bipartisan, cross-sector, multi-county effort to address climate change.

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City Launches Zero In Bloomington Earth Day Challenge on April 1 in Celebration of Earth Month

The City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development is pleased to announce the Earth Day Community Challenge for Bloomington residents will kick off on April 1. 

MLK Monument in Washington D.C. surrounded by cherry blossoms

A Week of Remembrance Celebrating African American History in Bloomington through Art and Storytelling

In an effort to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promote the acceptance of diversity in the community, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is planning a week of remembrance and celebration of African American history in Bloomington through art and storytelling. This week begins on Tuesday, April 4, which marks the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic and untimely death. Each year, the MLK Commission remembers the terrible event that occurred on the balcony of the Memphis Lorraine Motel in 1968, where Dr. King was in support of Black sanitation workers who were on strike and demanding safer working conditions and better pay.

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City Accepting Applications to Serve on City’s Boards and Commissions

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on a City board or commission.

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Regional Leaders Gather To Launch Bipartisan, Cross-Sector Climate Change Efforts

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, Nashville Town Manager Sandie Jones, and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton invite the public to attend an announcement on Friday, March 24, at Nashville Town Hall about the next steps of working together in a bipartisan, cross-sector, multi-county effort to address climate change.

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Fourth Community-Wide City Survey of Resident Opinions Begins This Week

Beginning this week, the City of Bloomington will ask residents to participate in the 2023 Bloomington Community Survey. This fourth community-wide, biennial, scientific survey of Bloomington residents since 2017 is again being administered by National Research Center, Inc. (NRC).

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Utilities Accepting Proposals for 2023 Residential Stormwater Grants

The City of Bloomington Utilities Department (CBU) invites homeowners to apply for funding through the fifth annual Residential Stormwater Grants Program. CBU helps homeowners pay for environmentally friendly drainage projects such as rain gardens, bioswales, and detention-pond maintenance. CBU will host a public information meeting about the grant application process and project requirements on Wednesday, March 22, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Utilities Service Center, 600 E. Miller Drive.

animal control logo on dark blue background with light blue paws

Dogs and Puppies Seized from Hoarding/Unauthorized Breeding Operation; Fosters and Donations Needed

On Friday, March 17, the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control (BACC) seized 68 dogs and puppies from a hoarding/unauthorized breeding operation. These animals were taken with the assistance of the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) and the Animal Management Officers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.

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Video Update: Public Safety Investments Check-in

In today's video update, Mayor Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Carmichael provide an update on the new public safety investments, including the new public safety headquarters. At its January 25 meeting, the City Council approved appropriating proceeds from the recently approved public safety bonds (https://bton.in/OBxjM) for public safety facility improvements, including the purchase of 320 W. 8th Street, a section of the Showers Building adjacent to City Hall.  

OneDrop logo in white on black background

City Partners with Artist Pop-up Collective One Drop to Host Art Exhibition Underground at Fourth Street Garage Storefront

The City of Bloomington is partnering with Indianapolis-based art collective One Drop to produce an exhibition titled Underground featuring over 20 local and regional emerging BIPOC artists in the Fourth Street Garage Storefront from Friday, March 17 - Saturday, May 13. The exhibition will feature work across artistic media, including collages by Honey Hodges, textiles by Beatrice Atencah, and photographs by the 2023 LensCulture Top prize recipient, Justin Carney. Hodges, Atencah, and Carney are among several local artists featured in the exhibition. 

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Ticket Sales Extended for the 2023 Women’s History Month Luncheon

Ticket sales have been extended for The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women’s 2023 Women’s History Month Luncheon. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Monroe Convention Center at 302 S. College Ave. in Bloomington. 

Winston Thomas Site Entrance

Utilities and Public Works Update City Council on Winston Thomas Site

During Wednesday night's City Council meeting, City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) Director Vic Kelson and Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Adam Wason updated council members on the recommended move of CBU to the Winston Thomas site and centralizing DPW at the current Miller Drive campus. 

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Video Update: State of the City Recap

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss the State of the City event held on February 23 at the Waldron Arts Center.

Habitat Solutions staff work a fire line during a prescribed burn at Griffy Lake in March 2020.

Prescribed Fire March 9 Will Improve Plant Diversity at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

The Nature Trail and Hiking Trail will be closed during and for one day after the prescribed fire.

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Hopewell Neighborhood to Receive $1.8 million from The Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and Regional Opportunity Initiatives

Bloomington will receive $1.8 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI)funding for construction on Jackson Street as part of the new Hopewell neighborhood. This housing investment was approved by the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and the Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) Board of Directors, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The Indiana Uplands is an 11-county region encompassing Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties.

Young adult in white tshirt and dark pants plays saxophone and sunset on Kirkwood in front of residents/visitors using outdoor seating

Another Season of Outdoor Dining on Kirkwood Begins April 3

The City of Bloomington is pleased to announce another Expanded Outdoor Dining season. This program closes 2 ½ blocks of Kirkwood Avenue to all for expanded outdoor dining and a pedestrian thoroughfare, and parklets, which expands outdoor dining in parking spaces closed off by orange jersey barriers directly outside the participating businesses in the downtown area. 

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Video Update: Affordable Housing

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Director John Zody as they discuss three affordable housing focus areas–housing security, rental housing, and home ownership. 

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City Reminds Residents of “No Turn on Red” at 82 Downtown Locations to Protect Cyclists and Pedestrians

In April of 2021, the Bloomington City Council voted unanimously to add nearly 80 “No Turn on Red” signs in the downtown and campus areas to increase safety. Both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission and the Traffic Commission endorsed the measure, which was taken to protect pedestrians and cyclists, the most vulnerable users of roads, in the areas of heaviest pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

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March Brings Spring Break Fun; Kittens Needing Care, and Car Seat Safety

Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and with the City, and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.