News Releases

Bloomington, Ind. – 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. PARKS & RECREATION Griffy Lake - An April survey of aquatic plants in Griffy Lake highlighted the Department's successful, multi-year campaign to remove invasive Eurasian watermilfoil and curly leaf pondweed from Griffy Lake. Eurasian watermilfoil was identified as a primary species of concern in Griffy Lake as early as 2008. Densely matted beds of this invasive species can displace native plants and interfere with fishing and other recreational activities. Parks & Recreation utilized Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program funds from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources over the past several years to survey and treat invasive species. Ongoing selective herbicide treatments, plus last summer's drawdown of Griffy Lake, contributed to the eradication of Eurasian watermilfoil and curly leaf pondweed. To prevent reintroduction of Eurasian watermilfoil and other invasive plants to Griffy Lake, visitors should inspect private watercraft before entering Griffy Lake, and remove all aquatic plants and animals from boats and equipment. Allow watercraft and equipment to dry out of the water for at least five days between trips to Griffy Lake, and never empty terrariums or aquariums into any native body of water. ENGINEERING Winslow Resurfacing Project- This project includes the milling and resurfacing of Winslow Road from Walnut Street to Allendale Drive. The intersection of Winslow and Allendale will be reconfigured as part of this project. Several ADA ramps along Winslow will also be updated. Construction is scheduled to start on June 12th. Lane closures will be in place during construction utilizing flaggers. More information is available on the project webpage at: https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/winslowresurfacing West Country Club Drive Resurfacing Project- This project includes the milling and resurfacing of West Country Club Drive from Walnut Street to approximately 400 feet west of Walnut Street. Two ADA ramps on Country Club Drive will be updated as part of this project. Construction is scheduled to start on June 12th. Lane closures will be in place during construction utilizing flaggers. More information is available on the project webpage at: https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/3rd-cc East 3rd Street (Mitchell to Eagleson) and East 3rd Street (Overhill to Mitchell) Resurfacing Project- This project includes the milling and resurfacing of East 3rd Street from Mitchell Street to Eagleson Avenue and East 3rd Street from Overhill Drive to Mitchell Street. Several ADA ramps on 3rd Street will be updated. A new median island will be installed at the intersection of 3rd and Overhill as part of this project. Construction is scheduled to start on June 12th. Lane closures utilizing flaggers will be in place during construction. More information is available on the project webpage at: https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/3rd-cc PUBLIC WORKS Resurfacing Projects– During the week of June 12th, weather permitting, the Department of Public Works Street Division crews are scheduled to resurface W Gourley Pike from W Arlington Rd to W Cascades Ave, W 20th Street from W Arlington Rd to W Gourley Pike and N Monroe St from W 20th Street to W Gourley Pike. The Division will prep streets prior to resurfacing and will have restrictions during work hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Signage will be posted. View an interactive map of 2023 paving projects at: https://bton.in/tpNzZ

The City of Bloomington will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 17, from 2 - 7 p.m. at Switchyard Park. Juneteenth is the annual national commemoration of the ending of slavery, which Black Americans have celebrated since the late 19th century. 

Mayor Hamilton today announced a new tuition reimbursement pilot program for eligible employees continuing efforts to be an employer of choice in Bloomington. City Council approved the new program as part of the 2023 Budget, and the pilot is in addition to receiving extensive new and ongoing benefits announced earlier in 2023.

On May 31st of this year, the League of American Bicyclists honored the efforts of Bloomington to build better places for people to bike with a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. BFC recognizes communities at five levels – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze (plus an honorable mention category) and Bloomington joins 506 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. The award recognizes Bloomington for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit its residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices. 

In the month of April, City of Bloomington Utilities’ routine monthly samples of total organic carbon (TOC) were not reported to the state of Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) due to an error in shipping. This resulted in a violation (327 IAC 8-2.5-20 Failure to sample and/or report results) of drinking water standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This event was reported to IDEM on May 9th, 2023.

Mayor Hamilton will call on the Bloomington City Council at their June 7 meeting to consider and adopt a resolution indicating support for a driver card for undocumented Indiana residents. 

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission.

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.

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.

The City of Bloomington invites the community to observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 2, and join in events raising awareness about gun violence during Wear Orange weekend.

Bloomington, Ind. – 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.

In accordance with a new city code passed by City Council in late 2022 and being implemented June 12, vehicles with six or more unpaid citations may now be towed and impounded. Once towed, the vehicle owner must provide proof that the parking citations have been paid before the vehicle will be released. The City of Bloomington Parking Services division will begin notifying vehicle owners with multiple citations via email and U.S. Mail with information and steps to avoid being towed (provided at the links below) prior to June 12.

On Friday, May 19, a three-judge panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals unanimously denied county residents opposing annexation an early appeal of the trial court’s ruling that they cannot have a second 90-day remonstrance period. This decision affirms the path for the annexation trial to proceed; it is scheduled from November 13 through 17 of this year.

Mayor John Hamilton and CDFI Friendly Bloomington (CFB) Executive Director Jane Kupersmith attended the kickoff event for CDFI Friendly Evansville Region, the newest sibling organization in the CDFI Friendly America (CFA) network. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the CDFI Friendly Evansville Region Advisory Group hosted 150 individuals, including community and CDFI partners, at the University of Evansville Campus on May 17.

In today’s video update, Mayor John Hamilton and Innovation Director Devta Kidd discuss innovation at the City of 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.

The Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) will hold a hybrid Public Information Meeting on Monday, May 22, from 6-8 p.m. in Council Chambers at Bloomington City Hall with the goal of gaining public input for the development of the 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the following City boards or commissions:

The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for the 2023 Residents Academy, to be held on ten consecutive Thursday evenings from August 24th to October 26th, from 6-8 p.m. Sessions include presentations by City staff, as well as demonstrations and tours of City facilities.

Mayor John Hamilton has designated $125,000 in funding directly to support community-based efforts to prevent, intervene and reduce violence in Bloomington. The City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department will administer the new Community-Based Violence Reduction Grants – a project to invest annually in evidence-based violence prevention projects offered by neighborhood-based agencies and organizations in Bloomington.

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission.

The City of Bloomington has been awarded the 2023 Tyler's Excellence Award for Data & Transparency for its updated data portal and new dashboards at data.bloomington.in.gov. The Data & Transparency award “recognizes organizations that have used Tyler solutions to creatively and transparently communicate valuable data to their communities and used those insights to make data-driven decisions.”

The City of Bloomington and Monroe County have entered into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement to form a joint Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission, which will absorb the work of prior separate city and county human rights commissions. On May 3, the Bloomington City Council and the Monroe County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve both the agreement and corresponding changes to their respective human rights ordinances to create and empower the joint Commission.  

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.

The City of Bloomington is excited to announce the launch of NextRequest, a public records management system designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and consistency in responding to public records requests.

In this week’s video update, Mayor John Hamilton and Bloomington Cooperative Living (BCL) Board Member Hugh Farrell discuss affordable housing and the BCL. 

The City of Bloomington invites nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to support their efforts to bridge the digital divide and increase digital resources for residents.  The Digital Equity Grants program will award $50,000 in funds to Bloomington-based nonprofits, with 2023 proposals accepted digitally Monday, May 8 through 5 p.m. on Friday, June 16.

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.

Bloomington Transit (BT) will receive $1,100,000 in Bus Facilities Program funds to support ADA-Accessible Paratransit/Microtransit Vehicles and CAD/AVL (Computer-Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location) Equipment Replacement and Upgrades. 

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.

In this week’s video update, Mayor John Hamilton and Bloomington Housing Authority Administrator Leon Gordon discuss the new fiber internet network and the impact of the innovative digital equity program.

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.

On Wednesday, April 26, the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) identified a possible sanitary sewer breach at Grimes Lane and Clear Creek flowing south through Switchyard Park. A contractor operating in the area damaged the sanitary sewer pipe resulting in leakage into Clear Creek. 

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.

The City of Bloomington’s climate action platform Zero In Bloomington is teaming up with the City’s alternative transportation platform, Go Bloomington to host the 1st annual Bike to Earth Day at Switchyard Park event.

In today’s video update, Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael discuss Hopewell.

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the following City boards or commissions.

The City of Bloomington is pleased to announce the update of its award-winning “B-Clear” data portal (https://data.bloomington.in.gov/). The new data portal provides users with an improved ability to view data, analyze data sets, and create visualizations of City data using visualization tools within the portal or with external data analysis and visualization software. 

Beginning this week, the 2023 Bloomington Community Survey became open to all residents interested in participating. The survey may be accessed at https://polco.us/Bloomington2023.

On Wednesday, April 12, the Bloomington City Council voted to appropriate $3 million towards funding construction of a new technology center in the Trades District. This allocation draws from the Bloomington Community Revitalization and Enhancement District (CRED) funds. Additional funding for the project comprises $3.5 million from the United States Economic Development Administration (US EDA) and nearly $2 million from the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC). Construction is expected to begin this fall and be complete by early 2025.

Over the last several weeks, a considerable amount of misinformation has been shared about annexation, including costs, process, and defending city rights. We want to set the record straight on common recurring questions.

In today’s weekly video update, Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael discuss a new messaging series, “Your City at Work.”

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.

The City of Bloomington’s Planning and Transportation Department is launching a Corridor Study of College Avenue and Walnut Street based on recommendations from the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan. As our central north/south transportation corridors, College and Walnut, serve as gateways to our community as well as the front door for hundreds of local businesses and thousands of residents. However, in this critical corridor, there are challenges too: the sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks along the corridor do not all meet current accessibility standards; many bus stops lack shelters; and each year, several hundred motor vehicle crashes occur along the length of the corridors. 

he City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on the Housing Quality Appeals Board and Environmental Commission.

The intersection of E 7th St and N Dunn St is being converted from a one-way stop-controlled intersection to an all-way stop-controlled intersection. City Engineer Andrew Cibor ordered the all-way stop via a 180-day order (https://bton.in/feF6m) pursuant to Bloomington Municipal Code § 15.08.040.

In today's video update, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, Nashville Town Manager Sandie Jones, and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton discuss Project 46, a new regional climate change alliance.

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.

The City is launching a pilot program with the Indianapolis Zoo that encourages residents to reduce invasive and undesirable plants on their properties and donate them to the Zoo for animal food.

The City of Bloomington is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Be More Awards, which honor exceptional community volunteers and promote volunteerism and civic engagement in our community. The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network received wonderful, heartfelt nominations for the Be More Awards; this year's Selection Committee did not have an easy task.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.  

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

On Monday, February 27, the City of Bloomington filed a motion in City of Bloomington v. Smith asking Special Judge Kelsey Hanlon to strike down legislation the Indiana General Assembly passed in 2019 that voided most of Bloomington’s existing sewer extension contracts. In its motion, the City argues that the legislation violates state and federal constitutional provisions protecting contracts from retroactive impairment by state law.

The Bloomington Human Rights Commission (BHRC) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Human Rights Award, recognizing an individual or group that has made specific, significant contributions to improving civil rights, human relations, or civility in our community.

On Friday, February 24, Special Judge Nathan Nikirk agreed with the City’s position and denied the unusual request for a second 90-day remonstrance period from residents in annexation Areas 1A and 1B. Judge Nikirk issued the ruling in County Residents Against Annexation v. the City of Bloomington.

On Friday, March 3, four community members will be appointed to the City of Bloomington Capital Improvements, Inc. (CBCI) board. Mayor John Hamilton has identified Mick Renneisen, Sarah Bauerle Danzman, John West, and Valerie Peña to be the first four members to serve on the CBCI. Under the draft Bylaws of CBCI, the Bloomington City Council is identified to appoint a fifth member. CBCI is a new 501c3 nonprofit corporation established to advance several initiatives in the interests of the community, particularly related to Bloomington in three potential areas - housing and Hopewell, the arts, and technology/jobs.

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss the recent Public Safety Report and the new $100,000 down payment housing program for sworn police and fire.

Mayor John Hamilton presents his eighth annual State of the City address to the community at the John Waldron Arts Center. All are invited to attend the free event. 

Mayor John Hamilton announced today that Josefa Madrigal, a former Bloomington police officer and the current Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department, will become Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor, effective February 24. 

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the following City boards or commissions.

The City of Bloomington invites the community to attend the 19th Annual Black History Month Gala, which will take place on Saturday, February 25, beginning at 6 p.m. The ticketed public event will be held at Woolery Mill (2250 W. Sunstone Dr., Bloomington, IN). Tickets are available in advance through the Buskirk-Chumley Box Office, online at bctboxoffice.org, or by phone at 812-323-3020.  

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss new welcome signs to be located at city limits.

The City of Bloomington Engineering Department is inviting Bloomington residents and business owners to a public informational meeting for the B‐Line Trail Extension and Multiuse Path project. The meeting will be held at the Tri‐North Middle School Performance Center at 1000 W 15th Street on Wednesday, February 22, at 6 p.m. 

The Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) is launching the first of several 2023 grants with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/Anti-racism Training Business Scholarships. Businesses within the BUEA Zone, which is an area north, west, and south of downtown Bloomington, may apply for up to $1,000 of funding.

The Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), in collaboration with the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA), has announced its 2023 grant cycles to fund the arts and cultivate cultural experiences in Bloomington.

The Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA), in partnership with the City of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) and Ivy Tech Community College’s Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, is hosting a building contractor workshop to provide opportunities to learn about how to become a contractor to bid on small- to mid-scale construction projects.

The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women announces the 2023 Women’s Achievement Award winners. These winners will be honored and recognized at the 2023 Women’s History Month Luncheon on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Monroe Convention Center. 

Join Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael and Neighborhood Services Program Manager Angela Van Rooy as they discuss the 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grants. The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for City funding to improve their neighborhoods.

At the 7th Annual Public Safety Report meeting today, Mayor John Hamilton announced a new $100,000 no-interest down payment assistance program for up to 10 police officers and 10 firefighters as an incentive to live in the city of Bloomington. Commencing immediately, the pilot housing program is the only such program known to exist in the country. After 10 years, participants will realize $100,000 in home equity. 

The City of Bloomington and Mayor John Hamilton encourages all community members to nominate outstanding volunteers for the Be More Awards, the community volunteer awards presented by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. Nominations are being accepted through March 5, 2023, at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/bemore. 

The City of Bloomington and Mayor John Hamilton encourages all community members to nominate outstanding volunteers for the Be More Awards, the community volunteer awards presented by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. Nominations are being accepted through March 5, 2023, at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/bemore. 

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton invites the press and the public to attend the seventh annual joint Public Safety Report to the community on February 9. The presentation will update the community on the state of public safety in Bloomington and the City’s continuous efforts to improve it.

The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women announces the 2023 Women’s History Month Luncheon, which will take place on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Monroe Convention Center, located at 302 S. College Ave. in Bloomington. 

Join Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael and Economic and Sustainable Development Director Alex Crowley as they discuss the recent $1.9 million grant from the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and Regional Opportunity Initiatives for a local infrastructure project.

Construction of the new city-wide fiber-to-the-home network is vigorously underway, with more than 150,000 feet of underground fiber optic conduit already installed. 

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.

Bloomington will receive $1.9 million in grant funding through the state's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program. The investment, which affects innovative infrastructure, was reviewed and approved by the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) 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.

In response to the racially motivated violent attack of an Asian student that took place on a Bloomington Transit bus Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the City of Bloomington, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), Indiana University, and the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) invite the community to a rally on February 4 in support of the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community. 

On January 7 of this year, Tyre Nichols, a resident of Memphis, TN, was pulled over for what police said was reckless driving. During the stop, Nichols was aggressively and brutally beaten by police, which resulted in his death three days later on January 10. Yesterday, January 27, The City of Memphis released body cam and surveillance footage of the traffic stop. The videos showed abhorrent behavior of law enforcement as well as an appalling disregard for his well-being after the beating. 

Proposals from Food and Beverage Artisans and Applications from Farmers due Feb. 24

On January 13, the City announced the activation of a new 501c3 nonprofit to advance several initiatives. We’ve created a Frequently Asked Questions document that answers common questions we’ve received, and it will be updated regularly.

Last night, 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. 

The City of Bloomington will host the exhibition Free to Wonder: The Indiana University Prison Arts Initiative Student Exhibition in City Hall’s Atrium Gallery from January 26 - February 17, 2023. The exhibition will feature work by 10 students from Putnamville Correctional Facility who took classes in visual arts techniques, creative writing, and bookmaking taught by former and current IU graduate instructors during fall 2022. An opening reception will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 3 in the City Hall Atrium at 401 N Morton Street and will feature remarks by IUPAI facilitators and teachers.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Warning for the Bloomington area beginning tonight at 1 a.m. Wednesday. The latest weather forecasts show snow accumulation in Bloomington is expected to be in excess of 3-7 inches, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Higher totals are possible.

The City of Bloomington and The Mill today announced they have formalized a new partnership to expand Bloomington’s innovation economy, attract cutting-edge companies, and create high-paying jobs. According to the Innovation Partnership Agreement approved by the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) on January 23 (https://bton.in/nuuxS), The Mill will now manage the development and marketing of the Trades District, a 12-acre portion of the Bloomington Certified Technology Park. 

The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for City funding to improve their neighborhoods. Applications for funding through four kinds of neighborhood grants described below are now available for the 2023 application cycle.

Street fair-style festival to take place on Fourth Street between Dunn Street and Grant Street in the Dunkirk Square parking lot.

Members of the public are invited to join friends and neighbors to kick off the City of Bloomington’s 2023 Black History Month celebration on January 30 at City Hall (401 N Morton Street). The event begins with a reception in the City Hall Atrium at 6 p.m., with the program beginning in Council Chambers at 7 p.m. The kick-off is free and open to the public.  

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss a new 501c3 nonprofit to benefit the arts, technology/jobs, and housing in Bloomington.

The City of Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) responded to a fire at 519 N Lincoln, a four-story apartment building, earlier this morning. No injuries to residents were reported; however, two (2) firefighters were transported from the scene by IU Health ambulance to the emergency department for evaluation and later released. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and details are expected to be released when the fire incident report is finalized.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is announcing a call for artists and arts groups to create art, and historians and storytellers to activate five historically significant sites in Bloomington during community walks planned as part of MLK Remembrance Week, April 4-8, 2023. This week begins on Tuesday, April 4, which marks the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic and untimely death. 

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the following City boards or commissions.

For her lifelong commitment to justice, passion for serving others, and deep community involvement, Nancy Cross-Harris has been given the City’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for 2023.

Following the brutal attack of a member of our community, I want to state categorically that here in the city of Bloomington we deplore any form of racism and discrimination, especially hate based violence. This behavior is not acceptable and will be dealt with accordingly.

Mayor John Hamilton today announced the activation of a new 501c3 nonprofit corporation to advance the interests of the community, especially related to Bloomington in three areas - arts, technology/jobs, and housing.

Join Mayor Hamilton and Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren as they discuss the arts feasibility study released in October 2022 and the progress made since its publication.

The City of Bloomington’s Redevelopment Commission completed the sale of the Showers Administration Building at 601 N. Morton Street on December 15, 2022. The purchaser, Eurton Qualified Opportunity Fund, LLC, took possession of the property at closing. The purchase price was $400,000 and included the roughly 18,400 square-foot building and the .19 acre lot immediately to the north of the building. 

The City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development is providing grant funding of up to $25,000 and technical assistance for organizations and small businesses to improve building efficiency and install solar through the 2023 Solar, Energy Efficiency, & Lighting (SEEL) Program. Nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses are invited to apply beginning January 18. 

Mayor John Hamilton invites the community to the 2023 City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, January 16, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

The Sanitation Division will continue picking up live Christmas trees and live wreaths until January 26, 2023. City residents should place their trees and wreaths at the curb for collection on their regular yard waste pick-up days.

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss new city employee benefits in 2023, including two new pilot programs.

In an effort to keep residents informed, we are sharing a press release from Duke Energy regarding their next phases of the Bloomington Rogers Street – 11th Street – Dunn Street Reliability Project. Construction will include new power transmission lines to provide clean and reliable energy for the Bloomington community.

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.