Grant Street Reopens From Hidden River Construction; More Trees are Planted; and Neighborhood Greenway Public Meetings are Scheduled

By Press release submission

Oct 17, 2022

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 on Bloomington residents and visitors.

PARKS & RECREATION

Fall Planting of Bicentennial Trees

Trees were delivered to Bloomington Wednesday for the fall continuation of Bicentennial Bond Tree Plantings that began last spring. Urban forestry crews unloaded 122 trees, and contractor Davey Resource Group immediately began delivering trees to established planting sites. Approximately 172 tree planting sites remain from the original 350 identified sites. Over the next few weeks, trees will be planted in Project Areas 3 and 4, which include the Crestmont, Maple Heights, Prospect Hill, Broadview, Southern Pines, and Winslow Farm neighborhoods. For more information about the Bicentennial Bond tree planting project, or for a map of the project areas and frequently asked questions about the Bicentennial Bond tree planting project, visit https://bton.in/evHK6.

New Trails at Goat Farm Park

Contractors are continuing work on park improvements at Goat Farm Park. The new trails have been laid out, compacted, and graveled in preparation for paving that will make the trails accessible. Paving is scheduled to happen this week, depending on weather.

UTILITIES

Hidden River Pathway Project

The two-year downtown stormwater infrastructure reconstruction project to address flooding during rain events is nearly complete. Grant & 4th are now fully open, although the eastbound lane of 4th will close in the near future to finish up power connections. Sidewalks are also getting completed. 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.

PUBLIC WORKS

This week, crews will finish resurfacing on S Walnut Street Pike. Sidewalk crews began installing ADA-compliant ramps on E Weymouth Lane at N Plymouth Road and Park Ridge Court ahead of the paving crew.

ENGINEERING

Hopewell Phase 1 East

The demolition and site restoration are complete! Removal of construction equipment and site fencing will take place over the next couple of weeks. The next phase of the project, which includes roads, infrastructure and linear park, will start in the next few months.

The Hopewell Phase 1 East project site is bounded by 2nd Street to the north, 1st Street to the south, B-Line to the east, and Rogers Street to the west. Additional information about the project and the contractor can be found at the following links: https://bton.in/mRp~I, hopewellbloomington.org & renascentinc.com/

Neighborhood Greenways

Neighborhood Greenways are low-speed, low-volume, shared-space streets that support high comfort walking and bicycling connections. Recently completed Neighborhood Greenway projects include W. Graham Drive, which saw the installation of a speed cushion, concrete curbs that create a street edge, and a “whimsical wayfinding” green line (see below photo). There are currently two Neighborhood Greenway projects in progress and both will have their second public meeting in October. The W. Allen Neighborhood Greenway public meeting is scheduled for 5:00pm on October 17th at Hoosier Heights Outdoor Area. The Hawthorne/Weatherstone Neighborhood Greenway public meeting is scheduled for 5:00pm on October 24th at the Bryan Park Woodlawn Shelter. The meetings will host discussion about the design and implementation of the projects, as well as allow for the community to give feedback on the projects. Both projects target a spring 2023 construction. Additional information about Neighborhood Greenways and both projects can be found online at bloomington.in.gov/tcgp.