See the Final Reports
View the Streetscape Program Reports – Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by viewing/downloading each PDF below.
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Why the Streetscape project?
Investing in the downtown streetscape project is prudent and well-timed with the potential return that we here in Bloomington could derive from the project’s intentional, strategic, forward-looking planning. The return on our investment has strong potential to come in the form of additional economic activity from both private and public sectors.
- Create/Activate Public Spaces
- Improve Walkability + Accessibility
- Bridge Downtown Core to the Surrounding Neighborhoods
- Enhance the Streetscape Aesthetic
See the Final Reports
View the Streetscape Program Reports – Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by viewing/downloading each PDF below.
Need a PDF reader? Download Now
What are the primary components of this project?
Project Timeline
Understanding the Parking/Pedestrian Challenge
One of the key objectives this project is tasked with is improving the “walkability” of Downtown Bloomington.
This means promoting a more pedestrian-centric environment rather than the vehicular-centric environment that currently exists. Walkable downtowns often result in enhanced enjoyment and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, with wider walking paths established as well as additional space for amenities like outdoor dining and sidewalk sales. However, there is limited real estate in between the building faces on any given street, and increased pedestrian space can only be established at the expense of on-street parking spaces. At the same time, it is not uncommon to hear complaints from Downtown visitors related to parking access.
Although the City believes there are opportunities for economic development in Downtown when the pedestrian experience is made more attractive, the City also wishes to be sensitive to concerns from business owners who believe they will be negatively impacted by a reduction in on-street parking.
The Design Team has proposed a solution where parking spaces are not eliminated, but rather relocated to centralized/consolidated public parking facilities.
The parking relocation is limited to a portion of the spaces on Main Street and Center Street and is limited to 10% of Downtown’s on-street parking spaces. The public parking facilities are illustrated in the following graphic.
It is critical that visitors be redirected to public parking facilities only if such facilities are located reasonably close to any of the businesses, restaurants, etc. that those visitors wish to visit.
The answer to “how far is too far to walk?” is highly subjective and varies greatly based on the abilities and disposition of each individual. Walker Consultants is a parking consultant with offices throughout the U.S. that has developed an industry-accepted means of quantifying the “Level of Service” for walking distance. For outdoor walking (taking into account the climate of Central Illinois) the following Level of Service Conditions for Walking were determined:
It is important to note that every point of Downtown is within 800 feet of one of the identified public parking facilities (Level of Service B). In addition, a recent parking study performed by Walker for the City of Bloomington indicates that there is abundant on-street parking vacancy on the side-streets immediately adjacent to Main Street and Center Street, even during peak times – providing additional parking opportunities. Lastly, recognizing that a not-insignificant segment of Downtown visitors are disabled, the Design Team proposes to introduce more accessible parking spaces on Main and Center than the minimum required by code.
Below is a snapshot of what parking would look like if we move forward with some of the new design recommendations.
780
Current Number of On-Street Parking Spaces*
720
Proposed Number of On-Street Parking Spaces
64
Current Downtown Public Parking Vacancy During Peak Hours**
56
Proposed Downtown Public Parking Vacancy During Peak Hours***
* Takes into account the 20 spaces already given up to outdoor dining parklets
** Vacancy = the % of on-street parking spaces available
**Assumes a 10% growth rate
Map of Streetscape Project Limits
Stay in the loop, get updates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Streetscape?
A streetscape is the collective appearance of all buildings, footpaths, landscaping, and amenities along a street; it is the visual identity of a neighborhood.
Why should the City invest in a streetscaping program like this, instead of addressing infrastructure needs?
The short answer is: the City can do both! City administration has plans to finance the streetscaping improvements while at the same time increasing investment in streets, sewers, and other core City infrastructure.
What are the benefits of a streetscaping program like this?
A forward-looking, intentional plan to improve our Downtown has many benefits to the community. Here are a couple:
- From an economic perspective, there is strong potential for a good Return on Investment (ROI) due to additional economic activity from both the private and public sector. Well-designed, well-maintained, and well-programmed downtowns can see increased foot traffic, leading to increased business investment and consumer spending. Moreover, strong downtowns can improve their community’s desirability, leading to bolstered real estate property values across the board as well as increased population – resulting in greater tax income for the City which can then be re-invested elsewhere!
- By investing in Downtown improvements, we can improve the quality of life for future generations and can enhance our community pride. Building pride in our community is a virtuous circle: When people feel that their environment is appealing and well cared for, they are more likely to take pride in their community and to work together to maintain it.
What improvements are planned around my Downtown business and when will construction occur?
The City is currently soliciting feedback from the public in order to make some critical design decisions that will drive specific plans – so nothing has been finalized just yet. Regarding construction timelines, the City has not yet developed a plan for phasing and prioritizing the individual streetscaping projects that make up the overall program.
That said, if you are a Downtown business owner or property owner and would like to engage with the City about any specific concerns you have, please reach out directly to the City Administration Department by clicking on the feedback link at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/administration.
Will there be adequate parking Downtown?
The City of Bloomington has hired a consultant to review the availability of parking, both now and in the future. The consultant determined that there is plenty of parking vacancy in both cases, even taking into account an expanded economy with growing tourist visits (as would be anticipated following the streetscaping program).
However, we understand that parking Downtown can still be challenging and frustrating for visitors. The City therefore intends to review current regulations concerning public parking zones throughout the Downtown in order to make parking policies clearer and more consistent. And we also want to hear from you regarding potential plans to consolidate parking to more centralized locations.
Are there any plans to address the problems with trash Downtown?
With space in high-demand Downtown, there aren’t any easy answers for the trash problems. However, the City is developing plans that should dramatically improve the situation. Stay tuned for future updates on the Events and Updates section of this website.
Are there any plans to address accessibility issues Downtown?
Absolutely. In addition to making sure that all constructed improvements meet the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design and Illinois Accessibility Code requirements, the City will be adding even more ADA parking stalls Downtown than the amount required by the aforementioned regulations.
Furthermore, the City recognizes that exterior pedestrian routes are only one-half of the picture. Shops and restaurants must also be ADA-accessible inside the building in order to fully accommodate all visitors. The City is currently developing plans to work with businesses to incentivize making these necessary architectural improvements.
Will electronic vehicle (EV) charging stations be incorporated Downtown?
Yes. The City is already engaged in conversations with Ameren Electric regarding suitable places for EV charging stations to connect to the grid, and the City has also engaged a consultant to perform a study that will result in specific recommendations for charging station types and locations.
Where can I share my ideas for this streetscaping program?
We are very excited to hear from you! Visit the Feedback page on this site to give us your input.
When will I be able to view the final plans for Downtown Bloomington?
The goal is to have the plans finalized by March of 2024. For more details regarding the program schedule, refer to the timeline above this section.
