Athens City Council passes street closure ordinance
Photo via The New Political staff
In its recent Monday meeting, Athens City Council passed an ordinance allowing sections of Court Street to be closed for ten events between the months of May and October.
The ordinance’s vote was to originally occur at their next meeting on April 21. However, the council decided to suspend the rules to vote to pass it in this meeting because the first event, the DORA Kickoff, is scheduled for May 17. In order for a street closure to occur, it needs to be approved 30 days in advance. The council said the DORA Kickoff organizers had submitted their request on time, the ordinance was just brought to the council too late.
Council members Michael Wood and Jessica Thomas recused themselves from discussions and voting on street closure ordinances due to a potential conflict of interest as both own businesses in the uptown area affected by the proposed closures. Additionally, Council member Micah McCarey was absent from the meeting.
Of the four remaining voting members, three voted to pass the ordinance — with council member Alan Swank of the 4th ward casting the sole vote against due to concerns about Ohio Brew Week’s Fall Fest on Sept. 6.
This event falls on the same day as Ohio University’s first home football game versus West Virginia University — a game that, Swank said, Ohio U Athletic Director Julie Cromer expects 30,000 visiting fans for.
“[Ohio U’s Police Department Operations Director] Captain Meek has already contracted outside agencies to provide backup police protection for traffic and pedestrian safety and crowd control for that game,” Swank said. “I'm not opposed to the event, but in talking with these folks, it seems like great time, wrong time — great time for those participating but at the wrong time.”
Although some business owners have previously voiced that closing Court Street has had a negative impact on their operations, council member Solvieg Spjeldnes of the 1st ward said Kristin Miller, President of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, indicated more businesses that are members of the chamber are in favor than opposed to the closures.
“My understanding is that they feel pretty good about it,” Spjeldnes said. “They would like to get more information and make sure that they're promoted better, but not really an objection overall from the chamber and the bulk of their members.”
The full list of events includes:
The Plains Lions Club Cruise-ins, on Friday, June 6, Friday, Aug. 1 and Friday, Aug. 29.
Ohio Brew Week, First Call, on Friday, July 11.
Ohio Brew Week, Last Call, on Saturday, July 19.
Ohio Brew Week, Fall Fest, on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Athens Community Arts & Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 2.
Bounty on the Bricks on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Halloween Block Party on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Dora Kick Off on Saturday, May 17.
Pride Festival on Tuesday, June 17.
Boogie on the Bricks on Saturday, June 14.