BLOOMINGTON – 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. City departments coordinate with one another, as well as with private developers, to minimize the impact to Bloomington residents and visitors.
PARKS & RECREATION
Bryan Park Pool
Bryan Park Pool is open Saturdays and Sundays only from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The final day of pool operation for the 2022 season is Labor Day, September 5th.
Park Ridge East Park
Contractors were on site on August 6th to begin repair work on cracks in the tennis and basketball courts at Park Ridge East Park. The work is scheduled for completion by August 8. Following crack repair, the courts will be available for use, but will not have lines for about 60 days. After a 60-day curing period, the courts will be re-striped and finished.
UTILITIES
Hidden River Pathway Project
The two-year downtown stormwater infrastructure reconstruction project to address flooding during rain events continues. Last week the contractor, Milestone, excavated between Trinity Church and Longfei Restaurant and poured concrete curbs and sidewalk on 4th St.
Grant will be closed from 4th to Kirkwood and 4th Street is only one lane from Lincoln to Grant. The alley on the east side of Grant, between Trinity and Longfei, will remain closed.
The City will continue to coordinate with other construction and road projects as they reconstruct 1,829 feet of culverts to protect downtown area residential and commercial buildings. This project is on track to be finished by the February 2023 deadline. For more information about the project visit: bloomington.in.gov/utilities/hidden-river.
Businesses on 4th and Grant are still open as this project continues around them. They welcome customers and taking the time to visit them may afford residents an opportunity to see what’s happening with this project.
Businesses in the impacted area include Siam House, Little Tibet, Burma Garden, Korea Restaurant, Oak, My Thai, DO Asian Fusion, Dat’s, B-Town Gyros, Healthy Hoosiers, Bali Cafe, Storm Real Estate, Longfei, Parlor Donuts, Soma Coffeehouse, and Taste of India.
Evergreen Village Stormwater
City of Bloomington Utilities is doing restoration work on a drainage ditch and detention pond in Evergreen Village, off Susie Street. Digging and grading are complete. The planting of native flowers and grasses is in progress. Weather permitting, the project will be complete this month.
PUBLIC WORKS
Paving on High Street from 2nd st to 3rd will continue this week and Monday of next. Next week crews will mill and pave 2nd Street from High to Swain. Speed cushion installation on 7th Street from Union to Hillsdale will be completed today.
ENGINEERING
1st Street Closure
Renascent, Inc. will be completing the first phase of work in the right-of-way associated with the demolition of the IU Legacy Hospital site by removing the overhead utility bridge that spans across W 1st Street. There will be a full street closure at W 1st Street west of S Rogers to approximately S Fairview Street, as well as a sidewalk closure on the south side of W 1st Street in the same location. These closures will be in place from August 10th through August 23rd. Signage will be in place for the W 1st Street automobile detour and pedestrian detour. During the duration of this closure, work on the utility bridge will take place between the hours of 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
IU Poplars Building Demolition
Due to the current demolition phase of the Indiana University Poplars Building on 7th Street, west of campus, N Grant Street will be closed between E 6th and E 7th from August 29th to September 9th. The sidewalks adjacent to the building will also be closed during each of these closures. Closures will be 24 hours a day.
Neighborhood Greenways
The City’s neighborhood greenway project weekly highlights include: paving completion, the installation of asphalt speed cushions along E 7th Street by the City Street Department, and the pilot Green Line pavement marking along Graham Drive. This pavement marking is part aesthetic (linear mural) and part wayfinding tool (to allow people walking and bicycling to easily follow this prioritized route). The design of the line was done by a local artist, coordinated through the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic & Sustainable Development (ESD). In the near future, a local artist will add a mural with input from adjacent residents, also coordinated through ESD. Final work tasks to be completed include the installation of speed cushion markings and signs on Ralston Ave. Additional information about the project and contractor can be found at https://bton.in/S0woy.
