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Residents press council for 160‑foot sidewalk near O’Neil Pool, estimate under $10,000
Summary
Three speakers told council a 160‑foot sidewalk was left unconstructed on White Oak Road near O’Neil Park pool, creating safety hazards; a resident said a contractor estimated the work would cost less than $10,000 and asked the city to move the work up on the sidewalk list.
Three residents asked Bloomington City Council on Monday to address a missing 160‑foot stretch of sidewalk on White Oak Road near O’Neil Park swimming pool, saying pedestrians and bicyclists are forced into the street.
Thomas Whalen, who said he lives across from the pool and thanked the city for the amenity, said the state completed most of the sidewalk work eight years ago but left a 160‑foot gap. “People are coming from on White Oak Road, and they're walking in the street. They're biking in the street,” Whalen said. He told council a contractor gave him a “ballpark figure” of “less than $10,000 to do that sidewalk.”
Daniel Taylor, who lives on the opposite side of White Oak Road, supported Whalen and described tall unmaintained grass on the lot where the sidewalk is missing. Taylor said his father moved a fence and deck years ago after an earlier agreement and that engineering had documented the location but gave “no time frame” for completing the sidewalk.
The mayor asked staff to follow up. William Gustafsson was registered to speak but was not present.
Why it matters
Speakers said the missing sidewalk creates a safety hazard for children and other pedestrians who must use the street to access the pool and nearby ramps. Residents asked the city to move the sidewalk onto a sooner construction list rather than wait years.
Details
- Missing segment: roughly 160 feet of sidewalk on White Oak Road near O’Neil Park pool. - Cost estimate: resident reported an informal contractor estimate of “less than $10,000.” - Citizen requests: expedite the sidewalk project and address related maintenance (overgrown lot); staff to follow up on timeline and coordination with earlier right‑of‑way or utility work.
Action
Council asked staff to follow up on the issues raised by the speakers; no formal vote or ordinance was taken.
Ending
Staff will investigate the site, coordinate with engineering on the prior documentation and report back to council with options or a timeline for completing the sidewalk.
