By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s bicycle master plan has been given the green light, but a lack of green is keeping the plan from being implemented.

The city council has shown its support for more designated bike lanes, shared lanes, bridges and underpasses included in the city’s multi-year master plan, but the city hasn’t set aside any money yet. Assistant city manager Steve Rasmussen told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin those projects can be done once funding is identified.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Rasmussen on WJBC.

“The staff would go out according to the master plan and propose the elements and pieces that need to be done and ultimately the council will decide whether to fund those pieces,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said putting a master plan in place now gives public works direction on what work to do, though at this point there’s no timetable.

Public Works Director Jim Karch has estimated costs of between six and $25 million if all the recommendations are implemented.

Outdoor liquor licenses

Bloomington is expanding the number of businesses that can apply for an outdoor liquor license, but limiting the hours they can serve outside.

The plan approved by the Bloomington City Council makes tavern license holders eligible for a sidewalk cafe license, but the outdoor serving time has been cut back from midnight to 10 p.m. Rasmussen said bar owners don’t seem to mind closing down outdoor operations sooner.

“Generally they would like to have closed up earlier because the crowd they get and the money they make usually is until 10, which means staying open for a few people drinking after 10,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said those with outdoor cafes must rope off the area to clearly show where serving is legal.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].