As the cooler air settles into Bloomington, the city prepares to swing back to its usual rhythm, with Kirkwood Avenue's seasonal pedestrian transformation drawing to a close. Come this Wednesday, if the skies remain clear, vehicles will reclaim their space alongside the curbs, intertwining again with the city's flow. According to a city announcement, the 100 and the 400 as well as 500 blocks of the vibrant street will reopen to parking and traffic, much to the relief or dismay of residents, depending on whom you ask.
For a spell, Kirkwood Avenue ceded its asphalt to pedestrians, a measure meant to breathe life into local businesses with alfresco dining, unencumbered strolls, and a bevy of local events. The 300 block, featuring the Monroe County Public Library, already shrugged off the temporary pedestrian paradise back on October 3. With the reopening, normal parking rules and traffic flow are set to reassert themselves across all the affected blocks post-Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the City of Bloomington isn't pulling the plug on bolstering its downtown commerce. In a nod to the holiday spirit and perhaps an incentive for residents and visitors to indulge in local retail and culinary offerings, Bloomington is gifting periods of free metered parking, a boon for that holiday shopping hustle. On the docket are Thanksgiving Weekend (November 28–30) and the week right before Christmas (December 18–24), as mentioned in their recent news release, setting the stage for an easier engagement with downtown festivities and its associated commerce.
