The Bloomington City Council’s transportation committee proposed annual improvements to the sidewalk network Wednesday.
The four-person committee suggested $336,000 in total investment to advance six projects. Three projects include funding for construction work, whereas three projects only include funding for initial designs.
The largest investment is $120,000 for construction of a North Adams Street sidewalk from Kirkwood Avenue to Fountain Drive. This project will ultimately connect the new bike lane on South Adams Street near the future B-Line trail expansion project on Fountain Drive. This project is estimated to cost a total of $323,955, but the committee previously allocated almost $64,000 for design and right-of-way acquisitions.
The second-largest investment is $110,000 for construction of a sidewalk on North Dunn Street between 15 th and 16 th streets. This project is estimated to cost $150,085. The committee allocated the remaining $40,085 for right-of-way acquisition and design work in 2021.
The third construction investment is $50,000 for resident-led traffic calming and greenway projects. The bicycle and pedestrian safety commission will select this project later this year.
READ MORE: How does Bloomington decide where to place traffic calming projects?
Greg Alexander spoke during public comment about his concern with the amount of money the city sets aside for sidewalk projects.
“This is a $50 million problem that we are chipping off $300,000 at a time,” Alexander said. “There are a lot of worthy sidewalks that aren’t being built and there are a lot more worthy sidewalks that are specifically excluded from this process simply because they are too big, they are too expensive to build.”
Councilmembers Dave Rollo and Matt Flaherty echoed Alexander’s concern.
“$350,000 alone is not adequate to address the need,” Rollo said. “Some of those projects will have to find funding elsewhere.”
“We really should be spending millions of dollars a year on sidewalks,” Flaherty said.
Additionally, the report suggests $21,000 for a conceptual design of a sidewalk on West Smith Avenue between College Avenue and Walnut Street. This connection is located directly in front of the Project School and is estimated to cost $325,000.
Councilmember Steve Volan said this is an important project because students use Third Street Park as a playground. However, the space is already tight and there are several unknown variables associated with the project.
“There is room for a sidewalk, but it does require a different way of thinking than a typical street,” Volan said. “That’s why it’s an important project, but they can get sidewalks on both sides.”
Additionally, the presentation includes $20,000 for design work on a sidewalk connection on South Overhill Drive between 3 rd and 5 th streets. This project is estimated to cost a total of $170,000. It also includes $15,000 for design of a short segment of sidewalk on Liberty Drive, which is estimated to cost a total of $65,000.
Several council members thanked the planning and transportation department for updated sidewalk prioritization metrics, which city staff presented in November.
READ MORE: Here's how Bloomington is changing the way it prioritizes sidewalk projects
“We now consider every single space where there is a missing link in our sidewalk connectivity,” councilmember Kate Rosenbarger said. “I think that is also a really important change in terms of equity and safety for our city.”
Sidewalk Committee Funds Hi... by Holden Abshier
