Title
Resolution to Approve Downtown Street Closures for Restaurant and Retail Use
Memorandum
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing measures have been in place to assure low risk social interaction can still occur. In response to these measures, the City has approved the closure of certain downtown streets to support residents socializing and gathering in the downtown and to support our downtown business. These closures have become popular with residents and many businesses, and the Main Street Area Association has requested that they be instituted in 2022 as in past year.
In prior years, the DDA has provided funding to downtown area associations to cover their cost of installing, removing, and renting barricades for these street closures. This year, City staff will propose to cover the cost of the placement and removal of these barricades in the City's annual budget. The DDA will provide meter bags within these closure areas at no cost.
It is anticipated that upon City Council approval, closures can be instituted as soon as special event permit(s) are received and approved, including Police and Fire review of closures plans to ensure compliance with the Fire Code and public safety needs, AAATA for public transit considerations, and other city staff review.
The actual footprint of street closures has been reduced to exclude the State Street area, Kerrytown, and the South University area, and the closures will only occur this year in the Main Street area.
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator;
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has closed streets in the downtown for each of the last two years in an effort to support physical distancing, and a sociable, robust business environment in our downtown;
Whereas, Certain merchant and business associations in the City are requesting the closure of certain streets so that restaurants and r...
Click here for full text