Kirkwood Program Update Headed to City Council on February 4

At its upcoming Wednesday, February 4 meeting, the Bloomington Common Council will receive a staff update from the City's Economic and Sustainable Development department on the 2026 Outdoor Dining Program and the future of Kirkwood Avenue.

City staff are recommending that Kirkwood remain open to vehicular traffic year-round, while focusing City resources on improving parklets, strengthening major downtown events, and expanding smaller, targeted activations in partnership with local businesses.

The City reviewed multiple years of activity data, business feedback, and resident input to evaluate how Kirkwood has functioned under different models.

• Average daily visits declined 8% from 2024 to 2025, despite:
  • A 57% increase in event activity
  • A 16% increase in program days
• Major festivals consistently performed well, but day-to-day activity outside of events was limited, especially when the street was fully closed.
• Business feedback was roughly evenly split on full street closure.
• Resident feedback supported a pedestrian-friendly Kirkwood but emphasized the need for better infrastructure, accessibility, and consistent activation.

Staff identified several challenges with the current full-closure model, including:

• Limited permanent infrastructure (shade, seating, ADA-accessible features)
• Ongoing operational and staffing strain for City departments
• Complicated delivery, emergency access, and maintenance logistics
• Public safety concerns during periods without programmed activity
• Accessibility issues for customers, deliveries, and contractors

Given these constraints—and current budget realities—staff concluded that keeping Kirkwood fully closed without permanent infrastructure and daily activation is not sustainable. The proposed 2026 program prioritizes:

• Enhanced parklets with improved accessibility and design
• Continued support for large downtown festivals
• Targeted, small-scale activations in partnership with businesses
• Preparation for a Kirkwood Corridor Study in 2027, focused on long-term safety and economic development

Staff will present the 2026 Outdoor Dining Program recommendations at the February 4 City Council meeting, followed by review of updated parklet guidelines by the Board of Public Works. Work will also continue this year to prepare for the 2027 Kirkwood Corridor Study.

Residents are encouraged to attend or tune in to the February 4 Council meeting to learn more and follow the discussion. Updated agenda packets and documents can always be found at bloomington.in.gov/council/meetings.