News Summary
The Northville City Council has decided to maintain closures on parts of Main and Center streets until November 7, 2022, enhancing outdoor dining opportunities. This extension allows local businesses to thrive while the community gathers feedback on the social district’s setup. With positive sentiments from residents and increased patronage for restaurants, Northville showcases the benefits of al fresco dining while supporting its local economy. The Downtown Development Authority plans to survey community opinions as summer approaches, evaluating the future of the outdoor dining scene.
The Cheers and Jeers of Northville’s Outdoor Dining Scene
In a delightful twist, the Northville City Council has decided to keep parts of Main and Center streets off-limits to vehicles until November 7, 2022. This decision came during a lively Zoom meeting where all council members were on board, showcasing strong community spirit.
Previously, the city’s social district known as The Twist was scheduled to close its doors in February 2022. But thanks to this extension, residents and business owners will get more time to unify their thoughts about the street closures, allowing for the gathering of feedback and data from the community. Downtown Development Authority Director Lori Ward pointed out that this extra eight months will allow them to assess how popular outdoor dining spots are, especially when restaurants can also serve guests indoors.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Main and Center streets have undergone quite a transformation since July 2020 due to COVID-19 safety measures which limited indoor seating. By eliminating vehicular traffic, the city aimed to enhance the dining experience for patrons eager to enjoy their meals al fresco style. However, while many restaurants have celebrated this move, the impact has been mixed for different businesses.
As spring rolls in, the Downtown Development Authority plans to start distributing surveys to get a real sense of how people feel about the social district. The goal is to understand what parts of the current setup are working and where improvements can be made. The conversation is certainly heating up about whether to keep both streets closed, or perhaps just one, for a seasonal period moving forward.
Community Sentiment
<pExcitingly, not a single person spoke out against the extension during the citizens’ comment portion of the meeting. It seems that the majority would agree with the council’s vision for the downtown area, especially as Northville was one of the pioneer cities in Michigan to establish a social district, a trend that has now inspired around 76 districts across 37 counties.
Business Boom
Many local eateries and shops have celebrated significant increases in business, attributing this success to the social district. The pandemic hasn’t made things easy, but Northville’s small businesses are rising to the challenge. And in a recent win for entertainment in the area, the Marquis Theater has been granted a Class D liquor license, allowing it to join the social district.
New Additions and Changes
Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A is set to open its doors on January 28, 2021, with locations in both Northville and Shelby Township, each promising to create roughly 150 jobs. These new restaurants will be operating with drive-thru service only, in response to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
On the outdoor dining front, the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar is also revamping its setup. They recently received permission to expand their outdoor seating by over two dozen spots right in their driveway. With proper spacing, the new arrangement will comfortably accommodate 26 patrons while allowing them to sip on their favorite beverages.
Support for Local Businesses
The council has made it clear that supporting local businesses is a top priority, especially during this unpredictable period. For residents, these street closures have brought new dining experiences and a sense of vibrancy to community life.
As the summer approaches, it’s refreshing to see Northville continuing to evolve and adapt, embracing outdoor dining as a crucial aspect of its community identity. Stay tuned as Northville gathers data, listens to community voices, and explores what the future may hold for its outdoor dining scene.
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Additional Resources
- Hometown Life
- Wikipedia: COVID-19 pandemic
- Chick-fil-A Official Site
- Google Search: northville social district
- Marquis Theater Official Site
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dining
