I Want To... ยป Live Downtown

Resident Information

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Downtown Bloomington, IL is a vibrant, urban district with a variety of choice living options including lofts, apartments, and condos amidst restaurants, stores, bars, art galleries, all within a 30-block area.

Experience Life Downtown! Living in Downtown Bloomington provides for a great residential experience. Parking, trash removal and recycling, and residential services are a few of the logistics you may want to know more about.

Trash Collection & Recycling

The City will provide refuse collection within the Downtown Service Area (defined as the area west of East Street, east of Madison Street, north of Front Street and south of Locust Street; and Front Street from East Street to Prairie Street) if, but only if, the following requirements are met:

(1) Garbage collection day will commence on Wednesdays at 6:00 a.m.

(2) Residents will be required to use tied plastic bags only; other refuse containers or loose material is unacceptable.

(3)Residents are prohibited from placing garbage outside for collection earlier than 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays or later than 6:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.

(4)Residents are required to place their garbage adjacent to the downtown trash receptacle nearest their residence behind the curb in a neat and orderly manner.

(5)Bulk waste collection and recycle collection will not be provided. Residents are permitted to transport bulk waste to the Public Works Yard or the southwest corner of Jackson and East Streets.

[Ord. No. 2018-93] 

Parking

  • Monthly parking garage pass - Call 309.434.2207. The Market St. garage is located on Center Street between Market & Monroe Streets. The Lincoln lot is located on East and Front Streets.
  • Limited on-street parking after 6 p.m. These spaces are used by visitors to patronize our many merchants and services, so please use this option sparingly.

    Guidelines for overnight on-street parking:     You can park from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the west and north sides of the streets Monday, Wednesday, and Sundays; and on the east and south sides of the streets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This rotation enables the city to sweep the streets. You may only park once each day in the same block. Read street signage carefully as other parking requirements may apply.

Groceries & Conveniences

  • Common Ground, 516 N. Main St., Offers a variety of organic produce and natural foods; freshly made sandwiches to-go.
  • Kroger, 1502 N. Main St.
  • Every Saturday from May-October the Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market will pop-up around the museum square from 7:30am-12pm. Patrons can expect to find locally-grown produce, meat, and many more items.
  • The Downtown Bloomington Indoor Farmers' Markets occur at the Grossinger Motors Arena the Saturdays before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and then again  each third Saturday of the month, January through April.
  • Downtown Bloomington has a post office, located at 400 N. Center Street, on the corner of Monroe and Center streets. Hours are M-F 8:30-4:30

Entertainment and Arts

Restaurants & Nightlife

Downtown Bloomington is home to over 20 unique eateries that range from casual fare to fine dining. In addition, there are more than 10 nightlife spots, many with live music, providing the perfect ending to an evening Downtown! Check out a full list here! 

City Council Representation

The two city council members representing the Downtown are:

Seat Vacant
De Urban, Ward 6
ward6@cityblm.org

Julie Emig, Ward 4
(309) 846-3605
ward4@cityblm.org

Bloomington Police Non Emergency

In the event of an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergencies, or to report suspicious activity, please call the police dispatch center 309-820-8888.