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Bloomington: Mayor Thomson Vetoes Kirkwood Ordinance 2026-12, Calls for Broader Community-Led Plan

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~ Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson has vetoed Ordinance 2026-12, which would have required the seasonal closure of five blocks of Kirkwood Avenue to motor vehicle traffic from April 1 through November 15 each year. The decision was announced today, June 22, 2026, and returns the ordinance to the Bloomington Common Council following its summer recess. The Council will have the opportunity to consider an override at its next meeting on July 22, 2026.

In a letter addressed to the Bloomington community and a formal veto message transmitted to the Common Council, Mayor Thomson stated that while she shares the goal of creating a more vibrant, welcoming, and pedestrian-friendly Kirkwood Avenue, she believes that the ordinance does not have enough support or financial analysis to justify such a significant change.

"The vision for a lively and accessible Kirkwood is one that many people both for and against this ordinance share," Mayor Thomson said. "However, we must move from aspiration to a plan that has community consensus and can be successfully funded and implemented by the City."

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The Mayor's decision comes after a public listening session on June 16 and extensive feedback received by her office, including input from members of the downtown business community. This feedback raised concerns about accessibility and mobility, as well as other practical considerations such as shade, seating, restrooms, lighting, deliveries, loading areas, staffing needs, and customer access. It also highlighted that the benefits and burdens of a closure would not be evenly distributed among all storefronts on Kirkwood Avenue.

Furthermore, with recent changes in local property and income taxes under Senate Enrolled Act 1 causing uncertainty for municipal revenue and long-term financial planning in Indiana communities, Mayor Thomson emphasized the need for caution in committing to recurring expenses without first identifying their costs.

The Mayor also acknowledged her responsibility to consider the professional expertise and operational knowledge of City employees and community partners who would be responsible for implementing and maintaining the closure.

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In light of these factors, Mayor Thomson has proposed a comprehensive Kirkwood Corridor Study in 2027 to evaluate safety data, traffic and pedestrian movement, accessibility, infrastructure, and the corridor's economic viability for the future. This study will provide a more thorough understanding of the potential impacts of a long-term closure on Kirkwood Avenue.

The vetoed ordinance had been met with both support and opposition from members of the Bloomington community. While some saw it as a step towards creating a more vibrant and pedestrian-friendly downtown area, others expressed concerns about its practicality and potential negative effects on businesses.

The Common Council will now have to decide whether to override Mayor Thomson's veto at their next meeting on July 22, 2026. Until then, the fate of Kirkwood Avenue's seasonal closure remains uncertain.

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