Title
Resolution to Approve the Closing of Monroe and Tappan Streets for the Annual Monroe Street Fair, Saturday, April 1, 2023
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a request from Fred Heller/Creative Rec, LLC, this year’s organizer of the Monroe Street Fair, to close Monroe Street between Tappan and State Street and Tappan Street between Monroe and South University from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 1, 2023 for the Monroe Street Fair. A soft closure of Oakland from Monroe to Hill is requested to be used for porta-johns and local traffic only. Intersections will remain open during the event. The remaining street area will be closed during the event for activities including speeches, and vendors.
The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the street and will reimburse the City for all event expenses.
Notification of the street closing will be provided through the City’s website and GovDelivery, as well as the applicant notifying the church in that area, and any residents on those blocks at least two weeks prior to the event.
While this event has been previously approved for more than 20 years, in 2022 it was one of three major events taking place on the same day. The Hash Bash (which is a protest that occurs on University of Michigan property and is not subject to City of Ann Arbor jurisdiction), and the University of Michigan Spring Game. Each of these events on their own bring thousands of people to Ann Arbor. In 2022 the culmination of these events presented significant challenges to public safety. The same challenges will exist in 2023 as the scenario repeats itself with the Hash Bash and the Spring Game taking place on the same day. The ability to protect the public is greatly impaired by the occurrence of these three events. Please see the attached correspondence from the Police and Fire departments recommending that this event not be approved. Given the lack of support from the Public Safety areas, staff cannot recommend this event for approval.
The organizers of this event feel that this event can occur safely and have attached documents of support for your review and consideration.
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 City received a request from Fred Heller/Creative Rec, LLC, this year’s organizer of the Annual Monroe Street Fair, to close Monroe Street between Tappan and State Street and Tappan Street between Monroe Street and South University from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 1, 2023 for the Monroe Street Fair;
Whereas, The street closure will be properly signed, barricaded and supervised by the sponsor;
Whereas, The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the street and will reimburse the City for all event expenses;
Whereas, Notification of the street closing will be provided through the City’s website as well as the applicant notifying the church and residents on that block at least two weeks prior to the event;
Whereas, Significant challenges to public safety occurred as a result of the Hash Bash, University of Michigan Spring Game and the Monroe Street Fair taking place on the same day in 2022; and
Whereas, The occurrence of these three major events occurring on the same day severely impacts the ability to safely protect the public;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the closing of Monroe Street between Tappan and State Street and Tappan Street between Monroe Street and South University for the Annual Monroe Street Fair from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 1, 2023.