Kirkwood Avenue Closures

2026-04-09 – The City launches the 2026 Downtown Activation Program, combining outdoor dining, pop-ups, and events; the reduced outdoor-dining program begins April 9. City press release
2026-02-24 / 2026-02-25 – The Board of Public Works approves a 2026 parklet/shared-street model that keeps Kirkwood open to vehicles while allowing parklets. City press release Chamber summary
2026-02-12 – City Engineer Andrew Cibor issues a memo suspending the 2026 Kirkwood closure under Section 7 of Ordinance 2025-02, citing lack of participation and impracticality/budget. City engineer memo
2026-01-31 – The City publishes a program update saying staff recommend keeping Kirkwood open to vehicles in 2026 after reviewing data, business feedback, and resident input. City press release
2025-03-28 – The City finalizes the 2025 street-closure configuration: west half of the 100 block closed, 200 block open, 300–500 blocks fully closed. City press release
2025-01-22 – Common Council adopts amended Ordinance 2025-02, creating an annual standing Outdoor Dining Program and restoring the Kirkwood conversion element alongside parklets. Ordinance 2025-02 PDF mirror
2024-04-11 – The City announces 2024 outdoor dining begins April 29; no Kirkwood seasonal closure is included. City press release
2024-03-28 – Staff and council memoranda for Resolution 2024-05 say the 2024 season will be parklet-only because the Kirkwood conversion is suspended due to Clear Creek Reconstruction. Council memo Staff memo
2023-03-07 – The City announces the 2023 season will run April 3–September 30 and close 2.5 blocks of Kirkwood. City press release
2023-03-01 – Council approves another season of Kirkwood closures and parklets. B Square report
2023-02-15 – Council debates Resolution 23-04 and postpones action after concerns about ADA access, churches, alley access, parking, and data. Draft council minutes mirror
2022-04-04 – WFIU reports the 2022 program has begun and confirms the new fee structure: $50 permit fee, $1,250 per parklet space, and Kirkwood seating fees of $500/$1,250/$3,500 by business capacity. WFIU report
2022-01-19 – Common Council adopts Ordinance 22-01, creating the Expanded Outdoor Dining Program; public speakers include both critics and supporters. Draft council minutes mirror
2021-10-07 – The City announces the Kirkwood closure and parklet program will end after October 31, 2021. Chamber repost of city update
2021-06-02 – Common Council advances Resolution 21-18, extending the Ordinance 20-11 framework through October 31, 2021 and requesting a successor traffic order for PUDO zones and parklets. Resolution 21-18 PDF
2021-03-17 – The City announces pedestrian-only spaces on portions of Kirkwood from March 25 through June 30, 2021, after Board of Public Works approval. City press release
2021-02-22 – Downtown Bloomington, Inc. solicits business feedback on Kirkwood outdoor dining options. Chamber/DBI survey notice
2020-12-16 – Later official city materials say Resolution 20-19 extended Ordinance 20-11 through August 6, 2021. A standalone online copy was not located during this review. Resolution 21-18 PDF referencing Resolution 20-19
2020-10-16 – The City says some Kirkwood blocks will remain closed 24/7 through the end of 2020. Chamber repost of city update
2020-09-23 – Common Council adopts Resolution 20-15, extending Ordinance 20-11 through December 31, 2020. Resolution 20-15 PDF mirror
2020-08-12 – The City details the combined 2020 system: weekend Kirkwood closures, 58 PUDO spaces over 30 blocks, and parklets in downtown parking spaces. City press release
2020-08-03 – Bloomington launches the parklet pilot for downtown restaurants. Chamber repost of city notice
2020-06-23 – Chamber reporting says the first Kirkwood closure weekend was viewed as successful and closures would continue. Chamber post
2020-06-17 – Bloomington Common Council adopts Ordinance 20-11, temporarily suspending selected code provisions on signs and right-of-way encroachments to support business recovery and enable expanded seating. Ordinance 20-11 PDF
2020-06-16 – The City announces a trial closure of Kirkwood Avenue between Indiana and Grant from June 19–21 for pedestrian use and outdoor dining. City press release
2020-06-09 – The City says Kirkwood has reopened with pedestrian enhancements and that the Board of Public Works will consider temporary weekend street closures to expand seating. City press release