BLOOMINGTON, IN – The City of Bloomington continues to invest in the site of the former IU Health Bloomington Hospital—now being transformed into the Hopewell Neighborhood, Bloomington’s next downtown community—through a series of upcoming construction upgrades.
The redevelopment is one of the most significant public initiatives in Bloomington’s history, with the City taking a direct leadership role to ensure the project results in a mixed-income, mixed-use community that expands attainable housing options.
This federally funded roadway reconstruction project focuses on West Second Street between South Walker Street and the B-Line Trail. Utility work for this project—including water/sewer, natural gas, power, and communications improvements—is happening now and will continue through June 2026. Lane restrictions and roadway/sidewalk closures will occur intermittently to support the utility work. The major roadway reconstruction work is planned to occur from June to November 2026.
The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) will continue infrastructure improvements in the Rogers Street area beginning late Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. The work will proceed in phases to reduce disruption for residents, businesses and trail users while ensuring long-term service reliability. Phases 1 and 2 have already been completed.
Phase 3: CBU crews will begin work on Phase 3 late Sunday, Sept. 21. The B-Line Trail and Morton Street will be closed during this time and are expected to reopen by Monday, Sept. 22.
Phase 4: Beginning Monday, Sept. 22, CBU will close West Second Street from west of the B-Line Trail to east of Rogers Street for continued sewer and water line improvements. This phase is expected to last through Wednesday, Oct. 8, allowing time for water line testing and final road restoration.
Phase 5: Overnight work requiring the closure of the intersection of Rogers Street and West Second Street is scheduled from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, to 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.
Phase 6: The section of West Second Street just west of Rogers Street is planned to reopen on Thursday, Oct. 9, following completion of Phase 5. If sewer work progresses as planned, portions of Phase 6 may also be completed at that time, with only final road repairs remaining.
As with all construction projects, this schedule is subject to change based on weather, field conditions, and water line testing results. All temporary closures are necessary to ensure reliable water and sewer service throughout the city and to support Bloomington’s future growth.
This locally funded infrastructure project will support the redevelopment of the former Kohr Hospital Administration Building into affordable housing. The project includes the construction of a new roadway named South Jackson Street; a new alley; and improvements to South Rogers Street, including a 10-foot sidewalk, tree plot, bicycle lanes, street lighting and utility improvements.
Construction has already begun, and the first phase consists of shifted lanes on South Rogers Street and a west side sidewalk closure. Future phases consist of additional lane shifts and an east side sidewalk closure. Both directions of South Rogers Street will remain open during construction, except when closed by utility work in the Rogers/Second Street intersection.
West First Street will be fully closed beginning in early October to complete crosswalk improvements for the new 10-foot sidewalk, after the CBU work on Second Street between Rogers Street and Fairview Street is completed.
The Kohr Community Flats affordable housing project continues work at the northwest corner of the First/Rogers intersection. The building is expected to be completed and move-in ready by summer 2026.
Environmental soil remediation at the site of a former gas station on property to the southwest of the Second/Rogers intersection is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8. Trucks will often enter and exit the site during this time, and drivers should plan accordingly.
Hopewell’s redevelopment has been in planning since the former hospital site was vacated in late 2021. Initial bids were rejected this year after the City determined they did not meet financial or housing goals. The City has since shifted to a phased approach that combines City-led infrastructure work with opportunities for local builders to deliver a range of housing types.
The City is partnering with Flinklock LAB, a national firm specializing in community-based housing solutions. The City and Flintlock are now implementing strategies that include developing a catalog of pre-approved home designs to reduce construction costs and timelines, establishing a legal framework for both market-rate and permanently affordable homes, and expanding participation opportunities for local developers.
