Title
Resolution to Close N. Fourth Avenue and E. Ann Street for the 27th Annual African-American Downtown Festival, Friday, May 31, 2024 to Saturday, June 1, 2024
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve the closing of East Ann Street from North Main Street to North Fifth Avenue with local traffic access maintained and North Fourth Avenue from Catherine Street to East Huron Street from 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 31, 2024 to 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 1, 2024 to stage the 27th Annual African-American Downtown Festival. The actual one-day event will take place on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with the additional time to be used for set-up the night before and breakdown immediately after the conclusion of the event. This Festival, sponsored by the Michigan Cultural Events Committee, will again celebrate the contributions of local African-Americans in the development of the City and to commemorate the former location of the African-American business district in the community.
The stage will include entertainment with bands, poets and singers with the use of a PA system beginning with a sound check at around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, and concluding at the end of the Festival at 8:00 P.M.
The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, and to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets.
Notification of the street closings will be provided through the City’s website and Gov/Delivery. The applicant will also inform impacted businesses/residents prior to the event.
The event has been coordinated with all relevant City service areas for the purposes of traffic control and for the protection of the health and safety of the participants and the general public.
Staff
Prepared by: Debra Williams, Office Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Michigan Cultural Events Committee, a local service organization, wishes to hold the 27th Annual African-American Downtown Festival to commemorate and celebrate the contributions of local African-Americans in the development of both the community and the City;
Whereas, The Michigan Cultural Events Committee wishes to hold the event in the East Ann Street - North Fourth Avenue area, which was formerly the center of the African-American business district in the City;
Whereas, The applicant has requested to close East Ann Street from North Main Street to North Fifth Avenue (local traffic access maintained) and North Fourth Avenue from East Huron Street to Catherine Street from 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 31, 2024 to 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 1, 2024;
Whereas, The street closures will be signed, barricaded and properly supervised;
Whereas, The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, and to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets; and
Whereas, Notification of the street closings will be provided through the City’s website, GovDelivery and the applicant notifying impacted businesses/residents prior to the event;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Council hereby approve the closing of East Ann Street from North Main Street to North Fifth Avenue and North Fourth Avenue from Catherine Street to East Huron from 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 31, 2024 to 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 1, 2024 for the 27th Annual African-American Downtown Festival as requested by the sponsor.