Council adopts ordinance to codify seasonal car‑free Kirkwood Avenue after lengthy debate and amendment

The Common Council voted on June 10 to adopt an ordinance that would codify a seasonal car‑free schedule for specified blocks of Kirkwood Avenue, aiming to provide permanent legal and budget certainty so the city can invest in more durable pedestrian infrastructure.

Sponsors described the ordinance as a step to give downtown businesses and residents predictability for outdoor infrastructure and to align the street with the city’s transportation and climate action goals. Amendment 1 — introduced and adopted during debate — removed alleys from the proposed code change (after engineering feedback), added two new whereas clauses referencing the council’s budget priorities and the climate action plan (TL1‑A5), added a standard severability clause, and established an effective date of April 21, 2027 for implementation to allow additional planning and deliberation.

The Transportation Commission, which voted 5‑1 to forward a positive recommendation, told council the ordinance was broadly consistent with its criteria but emphasized that multi‑department coordination (planning, engineering, economic development and parking) would be required for a permanent conversion. Supporters in public comment said a pedestrianized Kirkwood can create safer, family‑friendly third places and spur economic activity; opponents — including multiple downtown merchants and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce — warned that closing five contiguous blocks for a seasonal pedestrian zone could reduce accessibility, displace customers who rely on proximate parking, and create financial strains for existing small businesses without greater funding and a clear management plan.

Council debate focused on tradeoffs: the need for funding and design work, ensuring accessibility and deliveries (early morning delivery windows were discussed), user‑fee models and how to structure deliberation sessions to work through implementation. Several council members said they would back codification only with a stronger commitment to funding and a design process; others said codification was necessary to maintain momentum and to force administration follow‑through. After votes on amendments and final passage, the ordinance passed 5‑4.

What’s next: The ordinance as amended includes an April 21, 2027 effective date; sponsors said they will pursue design work, potential funding sources and a series of deliberation sessions to guide implementation and address accessibility, safety and operations. The Transportation Commission and multiple city departments will be involved in follow‑up work.