As each number was called out in Mayor Dan Brady’s five-second countdown in the 600 block of North Main Street, Downtown Bloomington got one step closer to the area’s future.
Once he reached "one" and flipped an oversized switch, everything around him, council members and Bloomington-Normal residents lit up, so to speak.
The countdown set up the official lighting of a new ring structure that hovers over and lights up the renovated block in the form of 35 color variants.
The lighting and the area’s opening to the public is a result of the larger Downtown streetscape project that remains under construction several blocks to the south.
The lighting event was rescheduled from July 10, when storms prompted cancellation of a larger opening featuring live music.
"The ring represents more than just a structure, as the opening of the lit-up area was a long-anticipated milestone,” Brady said.
Cody Hendricks, a council member who represents Ward 6 where the block is located, acknowledged the beauty of the ring and its representation of Downtown’s continuing improvements.
“I'm hoping that this can be kind of our northern lights that shows us what can be for the rest of Downtown and it's not just beautification,” Hendricks said.
“It's the infrastructure. It's the seating that we have here. It's the new roads, the new sewers, the retention pond that is underneath our feet that helps most of the west side when it comes to flooding that we saw back in 2021, so this is such a momentous occasion.”
Local residents and employees said the lights bring something new and exciting to the area.
“It definitely gives life to Downtown Bloomington, gives that energy that we need,” said city employee Juan Rivera. “We've been waiting for [it] and yeah, I loved it.”
Downtown’s 'northern lights' are for everyone
The variants of the ring structure include many colorful designs, including a rainbow-themed design that graced the block shortly after the ring lit up.
“I think it was beautiful, all inclusive,” said Beth Wilbert, an employee of the McLean County Center for Human Services. “I like that you had some of the LGBTQ colors and it brings a very good vibrancy to the community Downtown.”
The ring overlooks a large open space in the middle of the block and an abundance of seating in the form of two long cement platforms near the back end of the area.
Cordaryl Patrick, the city's director of community impact and enhancement, said the core ideas behind the ring's creation is to host a variety of activities for everyone.
“The residents and business owners and property owners here Downtown love the idea,” Patrick said. “They love the idea of having this interactive space where folks can come down with their family and kind of hang out on the lights, read a book, play with their kids.”
Several residents and city council members said they hope patrons will support the Downtown businesses that have taken a hit due to the construction.
“We want this to be a place of gathering for all, as well as showing support for these businesses that have been able to make it through this situation when we were doing all of this work,” said council member Micheal Mosley. “And so we want to show them love and be able to provide them support.”
Chelsea Sewell, a florist at Casey’s Garden Shop and wife of project manager Mike Sewell, thinks future events at The Ring will help businesses.
“I hope it's good for the businesses. I feel sorry for them that they've had to go through all the construction, but hopefully it just feels nice and welcoming and safe and fun,” Sewell said. “And when they have events down here I hope that these businesses get like a ton of people that eat.”
Future events at the ring
The block will be utilized for family-friendly events and some concerts, Patrick said, but locals have even more ideas for the all-encompassing area.
Wilbert and Sewell both suggested expanding the Farmers Market to the 600 block and Sewell thinks there could be a possibility of festivals being held on the block. Wilbert wants the area to be for everyone — a spot for kids and an area to expand nightlife.
“I'd like to see more things for the young kids around here to have something fun to do at no cost to them,” Wilbert said. “Also, a little bit more nightlife for the community to come out and do. I think we've been dead for a while with respects to being able to come together and do things together. Some music, some fun.”
Several council members and residents expressed interest in using the space for musical acts. It's already been used for viewings of recent World Cup soccer matches.
“This fall, we are planning a larger event for this space to really kind of celebrate opening up the first two stages of the first phase of the streetscape project ... where we’ll have concerts and activities for residents and family,” Patrick said.
The future of the ring following the fall celebration could boast many opportunities for events and gatherings.
“The ring structure itself is more than just a landmark,” Patrick said. “This is an opportunity and a space that we've created by way of the downtown streetscape project as a place for folks to be able to gather, have fun [and] create memories.”
The renovation of the 300-600 blocks of North Main Street make up Phase 1 of the city's streetscape plan. The projected cost is $13.2 million.
