Bloomington Civic Plaza

The restroom renovation had been on the City’s capital improvement plan. It had been 22 years after Bloomington Civic Plaza was constructed and the restrooms were in need of renovation. The restrooms serve a large number of employees and visitors each day and were updated to address aging infrastructure, improve accessibility, and create a more functional layout. The renovations made the restrooms more accessible with two ADA-compliant restrooms, and an ADA accessible family restroom with both adult and child changing tables. The new design also reduces the lines people experience during theater productions, and other large events hosted in the Civic Plaza on a regular basis. Staff and the public were asked for input on gaps and needs for the restroom space which influenced the design.  

The single-stall restroom design has increasingly been used in spaces including schools, restaurants, airports, and other facilities across the country. Private, individual stalls enhance safety and privacy for users by providing an overall design that increases visibility, reduces interactions with other users, and allows parents or caregivers to privately accompany and care for their child or vulnerable adult.  

The renovated area includes 8 individual-use restrooms. Each restroom has a lockable door. The renovated area has two ADA-compliant restrooms, an ADA accessible family restroom with both adult and child changing tables, and a separate urinal restroom.  

The three ADA restrooms and urinal restroom each have a sink. Each restroom has a mirror. Sinks are also available in the common space. The new restroom design provides:

More privacy

• The design of individual-use restrooms maximizes individual privacy, and fully enclosed stalls.  
• The new restrooms are more private with individual locking doors and walls that extend to the floor.  
• Overall design improvements reduce interactions with other users and allow parents or caregivers to privately accompany and care for their child or vulnerable adult.

More accessibility and flexibility  

• The restrooms are individual use so each restroom can be used privately and by everyone so there is less waiting in line.  
• Two more ADA-accessible stalls were added. One includes an adult changing table.
• The three larger ADA stalls include private sinks to accommodate a broader range of needs. Shared sinks are available for users of the other stalls.  
• The renovated restroom design is easier for maintenance staff to clean and restock and is a more efficient use of the limited existing space at Civic Plaza.

Bloomington property taxes were not used to renovate the bathrooms. The City of Bloomington used a portion of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds for renovations to the main first-floor restrooms near the front entry of City Hall. ARPA funds were an eligible funding source because the project qualified under the revenue replacement category, which allows cities flexibility to use funds for general government services, including facility improvements. The City of Bloomington received $11.4 million in ARPA funds. Of that amount, approximately $6.65 million was obligated for government services affected by revenue loss during the pandemic, such as Police, Fire, and facility projects like this bathroom renovation and the Bloomington Civic Plaza roof. $750,000 was used for responding to the public health emergency, and $4 million supported water utility infrastructure projects.

Civic Plaza has public restrooms available in three other locations throughout the building. These restrooms have not yet been renovated, and directional signage is provided.