StreetsItem 6.BCity Council Regular Meeting, October 21, 2026
Spend $412K more to finish the design for protected bike lanes on Elm Street
Council votes
Wed, Oct 216:00 PM · in 7 days
Cost
$412,000, mostly paid by a state grant (88%).
Where
Downtown
In plain words
Elm Street would get bike lanes separated from cars by curbs, plus wider sidewalks, from 2nd Ave to Riverside Dr. This vote pays engineers to finish the plans. Most of the money comes from a state grant. 38 street parking spots would go.
Who it affects
- Someone who bikes and walks: A curb-protected bike lane through Downtown, the first in Bloomfield.
- A driver: 38 street parking spots on Elm would be removed. Expect about 8 months of construction from spring 2027.
- A local business owner: If your shop is on Elm, construction and lost parking may affect customers for a while.
- A student: A safer bike route from Downtown to campus.
- A bus rider: Wider sidewalks at Elm Street bus stops.
Arguments for and against
👍 Why some support it
- Elm St had 23 crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians in 3 years.
- The state grant would be lost if the project stalls.
👎 Why some oppose it
- Downtown businesses worry about losing parking.
- The design cost has grown by about 30% since 2024.
Where it is now
- Project startedMay 1, 2024, done
- Community workshopsNov 12, 2025, done
- Council vote on design contractNextOct 21, 2026
- Construction would startApr 1, 2027