Bloomington Pride Celebration 2025

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Bloomington Pride Celebration 2025

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Sunday, June 22, 2025 - 1–6 p.m.

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Bloomington Pride

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Pride photo

Join us in celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) coworkers and community members. The event is hosted by one of Bloomington’s newest non-profits, Bloomington Pride. Please check their website for more information.
 

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Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project: Public Engagement - Schematic Design

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Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project: Public Engagement - Schematic Design

Date(s)
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 4:30–6:30 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Moving Bloomington Forward logo

Mark your calendars for the next Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project engagement event on March 26, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road.

This is another in a series of opportunities to review project progress and provide comments to help fine tune designs.


For more project details, visit bloomingtonforward.org/9mile.  Email questions to forward@bloomingtonmn.gov.

Nine Mile Creek Bridges
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Rehearsal Hall

Senior Safety Academy

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Senior Safety Academy

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Starts Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 9–11 a.m.

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Katie Zerull

Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
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SSA

3 week class to provide education and crime prevention tips to the senior population of Bloomington. Topics include; scams, personal safety, Fire/Home Safety, driving safety and emergency response. Class size is limited and registrations is required. *Registration is now CLOSED.

Senior Safety Academy Flyer:

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Haeg Conference Room

History Presentation Series - Charles Lindbergh: Triumph, Tragedy and Controversy

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History Presentation Series - Charles Lindbergh: Triumph, Tragedy and Controversy

Date(s)
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 10–11 a.m.

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Creekside Community Center

Parks and Recreation Department

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Spirit of St. Louis Charles Lindbergh

History Presentation Series by David Jones. 

Step back in time with history presenter David Jones as he brings the past to life in this education series.

  • Free event for adults ages 50 and above. 
  • Registration is required and accepted until full. Space is limited.
  • Sign up at Webtrac 

Questions? Contact Creekside at 952-563-4944, MN Relay 711, or creekside@bloomingtonmn.gov


Additional History Presentation Series events
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Room 116

History Presentation Series - Apollo: Why We Went to the Moon

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History Presentation Series - Apollo: Why We Went to the Moon

Date(s)
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 10–11 a.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Creekside Community Center

Parks and Recreation Department

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Apollo Moon Missions graphic

History Presentation Series by David Jones. 

Step back in time with history presenter David Jones as he brings the past to life in this education series.

  • Free event for adults ages 50 and above. 
  • Registration is required and accepted until full. Space is limited.
  • Sign up at Webtrac 

Questions? Contact Creekside at 952-563-4944, MN Relay 711, or creekside@bloomingtonmn.gov


Additional History Presentation Series events
Address
Room Name/Location
Room 116

Baby Gear Swap

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Baby Gear Swap

Date(s)
Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

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Solid Waste Sustainability Specialist
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Swap clean, gently used items for babies 2 years and younger. All are welcome at the swap, and all items are given and taken freely. Note: Items at the swap are provided "as is" with no guarantee of the condition or working order.

How to shop: 

  • Stop by on Saturday and peruse donated items.
  • All items are free!
  • You do not have to donate items to shop the swap.

How to donate:

  • Bring in your donations any time during the swap on Saturday.
  • Donate in advance: New this year, donations can be brought to the Black Box theater on Friday, April 25 between 11 am and 5 pm.
  • Please only bring accepted items from the list below.

We have partnered with the Early Childhood Expo for this year's Baby Gear Swap. Visit blm.mn/ece to learn more about this fun, free event that will take place at the same time as the swap!

Accepted Items:
baby toys, stroller, and high chair clipart

Must be gently used or like new items intended for babies (0-24 months)

  • Wraps and carriers: strollers, swaddles, slings (no car seats)
  • Toys: sensory and learning toys, books, bath toys, attachments for strollers and carriers
  • Engagement: activity centers, play yards, walkers, swings, bouncers
  • Miscellaneous items: high chairs, booster chairs, diaper bags, other small and gently used items

 

Donate in advance: New this year, donations will be accepted at the Black Box theater on Friday, April 25 between 11 am and 5 pm. Stop by with your gently used baby gear to donate in advance of the swap on Saturday. 

Please do not bring:
clipart of baby items not accepted at baby gear swap
  • Car seats
  • Clothes
  • Large furniture (i.e.: cribs, pack & plays, changing tables)
  • Baby feeding items
  • Large toy and play structures that require assembly
  • Stuffed animals
  • Toys for children 2 years and up
  • Broken or recalled products

Water service line coverage solicitations

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Water service line coverage solicitations

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Many Bloomington residents have received a letter from companies selling water service line protection coverage. The City recently received notification that HomeServe continues to mail their unsolicited informational material to Bloomington residents promoting their water service line coverage plan.
 
The City of Bloomington has never endorsed companies like this nor the services they provide.
 
If you are considering purchasing this type of coverage for your property, the City strongly advises you to thoroughly research the need to do so and the background and track record of any company that offers this type of coverage.
 
For more information, contact the City of Bloomington Utilities Division at 952-563-8777.
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Utilities Division

Bloomington Named a Top Arts-Vibrant Community in the U.S.

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Bloomington Named a Top Arts-Vibrant Community in the U.S.

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Bloomington, MN — The City of Bloomington is proud to announce that the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area has been ranked as the fifth most arts-vibrant large community in the U.S. in the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index.

Bloomington’s consistent presence in the Index since its establishment in 2015 highlights the City’s dedication to developing a vibrant arts and cultural scene and its commitment to promoting creativity, collaboration and a thriving cultural ecosystem.

“Bloomington’s arts community continues to grow and thrive thanks to the passion and dedication of countless individuals and organizations,” said Alejandra Pelinka, Director of Creative Placemaking. “From public art and performances to cultural events, the arts are uplifting places and strengthening connections across the city.”

Released by SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, the Arts Vibrancy Index analyzed data from more than 900 communities nationwide. It evaluated the communities based on per capita measures of arts supply, demand and government support and celebrates communities with outstanding levels of arts activity, participation and support.

Nonprofit arts organizations that partner closely with the City have significantly contributed to Bloomington’s success as a thriving arts community. Additionally, Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation Department and Office of Creative Placemaking play crucial roles in centering art, artists, culture bearers and the creative sector through various programs and events.

“The City of Bloomington has consistently invested in, supported and regularly benefited from a long-standing relationship with the arts” says Ian Brekke, Manager of Bloomington Center for the Arts. “It is a unique and vibrant ecosystem that helps to define the cultural fabric of the city and its strengths. We are proud to continue to offer high-quality and accessible arts opportunities for the community.”

Creative Placemaking integrates arts and culture into community planning and development. Guided by the City’s Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together. strategic plan, these efforts prioritize creating a connected and welcoming community. Key projects and programs include:

  • South Loop Creative Placemaking: This initiative has highlighted the assets and character of the South Loop District, featuring public art installations, community events, performances and the South Loop Community Garden—a vibrant space that combines nature, art and community.
  • Artist-Led Community Engagement: Local artists play a central role in shaping Bloomington’s identity, fostering connections through workshops, temporary art installations and pop-up performances that celebrate the city’s history and creativity.
  • Citywide Creative Placemaking Plan: Currently in development, this comprehensive plan expands on the South Loop’s success and aims to bring creative placemaking efforts to all corners of Bloomington. The plan includes community input and uses local talent to promote cultural, social and economic activity citywide.

For more information about Bloomington’s creative placemaking initiatives, visit blm.mn/placemaking or join the conversation at Let’s Talk Bloomington.

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Media Releases

The City of Bloomington publishes media releases from time to time, to share newsworthy information that may be of interest to the community and to the audiences of local media outlets.

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Ian Brekke

Center for the Arts Manager
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Alejandra Pelinka

Creative Placemaking Director

City of Bloomington Announces Nick Johnson as New Planning Manager

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City of Bloomington Announces Nick Johnson as New Planning Manager

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Nick Johnson

Bloomington, MN — The City of Bloomington is pleased to announce the promotion of Nick Johnson to the position of Planning Manager effective the week of February 3. Johnson will succeed Glen Markegard, the current Planning Manager who is retiring after nearly 30 years of service.

Johnson has been a dedicated member of the City’s Planning Division since 2015, serving in various roles, most recently as Planning Supervisor. In this role, he led several key initiatives, including the development and implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, District and Small Area Plans and updates to the City’s Zoning Code. Johnson has also contributed to projects related to community development, housing and transportation, demonstrating a commitment to improving Bloomington’s quality of life.

He is passionate about making local government more accessible and fostering relationships that strengthen the community. Johnson is also committed to promoting collaboration across City departments to achieve Bloomington’s strategic priorities. 

“Nick's promotion reflects his hard work, expertise and dedication to crafting and implementing public policies that align with the community’s vision,” said Kim Berggren, Community Development Director. “We are excited to see his continued leadership in shaping Bloomington’s future.”

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Media Releases

The City of Bloomington publishes media releases from time to time, to share newsworthy information that may be of interest to the community and to the audiences of local media outlets.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Kim Berggren

Community Development Director

Welcoming Wednesdays for Startups and Small Businesses

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Welcoming Wednesdays for Startups and Small Businesses

Date(s)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - 12–2 p.m.

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Port Authority

Business Assistance

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Welcoming Wednesdays logo
Hiromi Yokoi
Hiromi Yokoi

The City of Bloomington is partnering with Launch Minnesota to host Walk in Wednesdays for Startups and Small Businesses. 

Hosted by Hiromi Yokoi from NextStage, these monthly open house sessions spotlight the wealth of startup resources available, at no cost, and help entrepreneurs connect with experts in their area.

The event is free, and no registration is necessary.

About NextStage

NextStage is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support entrepreneurs at every stage. Our experienced business advisors are passionate about helping entrepreneurs refine their business plans, start exciting new enterprises, and thrive in a competitive and constantly changing business landscape.

For entrepreneurs in the beginning stages, we can help you put all the pieces in place to start your business with confidence, including evaluating start-up financing opportunities. For those who are ready for the next stage, we can help you grow your revenues and create new jobs through sound planning and competitive financing.

NextStage logo

NextStage business advising services are available at no cost to participating entrepreneurs/businesses thanks to the generous support of our public sector partners: Carver County, Hennepin County, Scott County, and the cities of Bloomington and Minneapolis.

Services that NextStage provides:

  • Business planning and assessment
  • One-on-one business advising or coaching
  • Assistance with access to capital
  • Financial management
  • Navigation of Elevate Hennepin resources and referrals
     
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