Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson met with community members at Council Chambers in City Hall June 16 to discuss a proposal that would require seasonal street closures on Kirkwood Avenue.
The public discussion, hosted by Mayor Thomson and Bloomington City Council Vice President Sydney Zulich, took place less than a week after the BloomingtonCommon Council approved ordinance 2026-12 on June 10.
The ordinance would require Kirkwood Avenue to close to vehicle traffic from April through mid-November annually, beginning in 2027. Thomson organized the June 16 meeting to collect feedback from residents, business owners and others before deciding whether to approve or veto the ordinance.
“Your words are not wasted, whether I end up vetoing or not, they’ve been heard,” Thomson said in the meeting, “And we will continue to incorporate them.”
Many speakers opposed the proposal, citing concerns about accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, loss of parking and impacts on businesses.Others supported pedestrian-focused Kirkwood, saying a car-free street would improve safety, encourage walking and cycling and strengthen Bloomington’s downtown appeal.
Some urged the city to first add amenities such as trees for shade, seating, public restrooms and other transportation before considering a closure.
Throughout the discussion, Thomson emphasized that she had not yet decided whether to approve the ordinance and said her role was to determine what is in “the best interest for the good of the whole city.”
If the mayor vetoes the proposal, the council can still enact it with a six-vote override. City rules give Thomson 10 days after receiving the ordinance to make a decision.
