Construction

It’s hard to build housing right now, including in Bloomington-Normal. There is a long list of reasons as to why, including the skyrocketing costs of materials, but the high cost of building has developers looking for ways to fund and start projects without breaking the bank.

Illinois 9 [Empire Street] will be completely closed from Towanda Avenue to Colton Avenue near the north side of Bloomington High School on Sept. 3 and 4.

The City of Bloomington's Downtown for Everyone project is moving through the 500 block of North Main Street as scheduled and is still expected to cost $13.2 million. Residents and business owners are continuing to adapt through sometimes inconvenient construction work.

Single-family housing starts grew in Normal last year by nearly 49% — though the total number only reached 55.

Homebuilders put up just 58 single-family homes and duplexes in Bloomington last year — fewer than the 66 built in 2024. City officials hope other actions focusing on existing housing will help ease the community housing shortage.

Bloomington-Normal home sales declined last year, though there are a couple positive signs. The Mid-Illinois Realtors Association said home sales were down 5.9% in 2025.

The work now underway is concentrated in the 600 block of North Main Street, right where it hits East Street as it curves in front of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. The plaza in that area will be reimagined, including a lighted ring hovering above a new outdoor activity/performance space.

G.E. Road in Bloomington is getting resurfaced this summer from Veterans Parkway to Towanda Barnes Road, and construction has already begun.

The intersection of White Oak Road at Market Street has reopened on the city's west side, with a reconfigured design.

Labor leaders say contractors working on a renovation of the Uptown Normal hotel are violating prevailing wage and other laws for workers at the site.