Board of Public Works proposes moving large downtown festivals from Fourth Street to Kirkwood for safety

Bloomington ' The Bloomington Board of Public Works on Jan. 13 proposed a policy governing special events in the public right-of-way that would direct large downtown festivals, including the Fourth Street Arts Festival, to three downtown footprints such as Kirkwood Avenue, Courthouse Square and the Trades District.

Public Works director Adam Wason said the policy, developed in consultation with local public-safety agencies and comparable cities, applies only to street events and not to events that occur in parks. He said the move is driven primarily by public-safety concerns and by a desire for consistency in how large events are sited and managed downtown.

The draft policy sets footprints for events anticipating 1,000 or more attendees and references permit and temporary-parking fees in the Bloomington Municipal Code. Wason said the policy will undergo routine annual review and any changes would be reported back to the Board of Public Works.

Festival organizers signaled opposition. Pamela Davidson, a member of the Fourth Street Arts Festival board, told the board that relocating to Kirkwood would "break up the festival with interruptions," reduce continuity and harm sales and attendance because many Kirkwood blocks contain bars.

Juliet Roberts, president of the Fourth Street Festival, emphasized public-safety priorities while warning that Kirkwood's lack of mature shade could raise heat-exposure risks. "Fourth Street's mature shade trees materially improve safety, comfort, and crowd flow during late summer heat," Roberts said, adding that patrons'on-site feedback requested more shade and that Kirkwood's environment increases heat exposure and limits safe dwell time.

Board members allowed an exception for the Fourth Street Arts Festival's 50th anniversary on Fourth Street in 2026 but said future exceptions are not guaranteed. The Board will review the policy again in October 2026; the Board's next meeting is Jan. 27.