City of Bloomington Advances Traffic Signal Updates to Improve Safety Across Key Corridors4/29/2026 The City of Bloomington is implementing the first phase of a citywide traffic signal retiming and safety upgrade effort, a project that adjusts signal timing to make intersections safer, more predictable, and easier to navigate for people driving, walking, biking, and using mobility devices. Recent updates completed along Walnut and College Avenues and at key intersections, including 10th Street and 17th Street.
With funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program, this work is part of a three-phase initiative to modernize pedestrian protection measures at signalized intersections across Bloomington These updates are designed to improve safety and predictability for all roadway users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, while supporting smoother traffic flow across some of the city’s busiest corridors. For residents and visitors, the most notable change may be a short delay before some vehicle signals turn green, allowing pedestrians to enter the crosswalk first.
After 22 years as the Hospitality Manager of the Grant Street Inn, Paul Wagoner will be stepping into retirement beginning July 24, 2026.
We are thrilled to announce that Austin Francalancia will join CFC Properties as our new Hospitality Manager, beginning Monday, May 4, 2026. The Hospitality Manager is responsible for overall management of the historic Grant Street Inn. Austin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University. Immediately after graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California becoming a production and acquisition executive, working on Oscar and Emmy winning productions. After returning to Bloomington, Austin worked as the Hospitality & Operations Manager at The Mill, which rebranded and expanded into Amplify Bloomington, where he most recently served as the Community Manager. Austin is also an Adjunct Instructor at the IU Media School and founded Hoosier Media Solutions in 2024. The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, which is a service of the City of Bloomington that connects residents with local nonprofit and community service opportunities, invites the community to attend the 2026 Be More Awards on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
The Be More Awards are the City’s annual volunteer recognition awards, honoring our community volunteers' outstanding but often unrecognized efforts. Beyond the presentation of eight Be More Awards, the 2026 event will feature a report from the Monroe County Youth Council on their Global Youth Service Month projects, and a progress report on the Bloomington Volunteer Network’s Be the Change Challenge. The following recipients will be honored at this year’s event: Be More Engaged Award, which honors an individual or a group employed at a business or organization who engages in volunteer activities and programs on behalf of their employer. The 2026 recipient is South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) Thriving Connections - Captains and Allies. On April 20, the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC) voted to move forward with a public offering for the College Square property, establishing a structured and transparent process for evaluating redevelopment proposals for the site.
Prior to that meeting, the RDC received a request from the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) to delay the College Square public offering for 30 days. The CIB indicated the time would be used to pursue discussions on a land exchange proposal involving parcels south of the convention center. That proposal was included in the RDC meeting materials and considered by commissioners. After considering the 30-day delay, the RDC opted to proceed with the public offering, which allows proposals to be submitted, reviewed, and compared within a defined framework. Hoosier Carpets Plus Colortile of Bloomington is thrilled to announce that we have been named Retailer of the Year by Alliance Flooring Inc. This prestigious award recognizes our commitment to exceptional service, quality products, and customer satisfaction. In addition, we are proud to celebrate Jeff Critchlow, who was honored as Sales Associate of the Year for 2025. This award reflects Jeff’s outstanding dedication, exceptional customer service, and impressive sales achievements throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful to Alliance Flooring Inc. for these honors and extend our sincere thanks to our loyal customers and hardworking team members who make achievements like this possible.  For one night, and one night only! Friday, May 15 at 7:00pmCalling all Dancing Queens! This spring, Constellation Stage & Screen and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater are bringing the ultimate ABBA-filled celebration back to the big screen! Join us for a one-night-only Mamma Mia! (2008) Screening Experience on Friday, May 15 at 7:00pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Get ready to sing-along, dance in your seat (or on the stage!), and have the time of your life at this fun-filled night out!
Experience the magic of ABBA’s greatest hits on the big screen in this feel-good movie musical about a bride-to-be searching for her real father. Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, Mamma Mia! is a high-energy celebration of love, friendship, and timeless pop classics. It’s the perfect girl’s night out or mother/daughter date! Two major update and repair projects were recently completed at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St., reflecting the Parks and Recreation Department's commitment to investing in and maintaining facilities for the community.
"Supported by grant funding, these improvements reflect Parks and Recreation’s commitment to maintaining Banneker Community Center as a safe, welcoming, and well-used neighborhood space," Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street said. "We recognize the role Banneker plays as a place for community programs and events, and protecting its historic character and supporting the programs families and youth rely on is part of our strategy for ongoing community investment." The building's age and significant place in Bloomington’s history necessitate a thoughtful approach to building renovations and repairs. An existing conditions assessment conducted by the Ball State University Center for Historic Preservation in 2025 revealed that water infiltration, primarily caused by insufficient drains and downspouts from more than 8,400 square feet of roof, presented a serious threat to the long-term preservation of Banneker.  Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers is pleased to announce that litigation attorney Nabeela Virjee has joined the firm, strengthening its commitment to representing individuals in personal and workplace injury matters with skill, experience, and compassion.
Virjee brings a unique perspective to her practice, shaped by years of experience on both sides of the courtroom. She began her legal career representing defendants in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including personal injury, professional liability, and employment disputes. She later served as a litigation attorney with the City of Indianapolis Office of Corporation Counsel, where she handled civil rights and constitutional cases, including arguing a First Amendment issue on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Today, Virjee focuses on advocating for individuals who have been injured. Her background defending institutions provides valuable insight into how cases are evaluated on the other side, allowing her to guide clients strategically from initial case evaluation through resolution. |
Check out our Chamber Members news on this blog!
Share your news with us!Submit your news to the Chamber by the 10th or 26th of each month to be included in the bi-weekly Membership Matters emails. Archives
Archives
August 2026
Webpage Square Ad Banner spaces are available for members. Download our sizes and pricing sheet for more information by clicking the button below.
|
|
|
Copyright The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.