Three Rivers Commissioners approve amphitheater expansion to Downtown Social District
After a lengthy discussion about whether to place restrictions on when residents could utilize the expanded district, commissioners approved an amended motion limiting the expansion to only when events are being held at the amphitheater.
More than an hour into the meeting, worsening weather prompted Mayor Angel Johnston to temporarily adjourn proceedings and direct attendees to shelter in the City Hall basement as a precaution.
During the adjournment, Johnston briefly returned home to retrieve her dog before rejoining attendees in the basement.
After the storm passed, commissioners returned upstairs and resumed the meeting.
The Three Rivers City Commission worked through a lengthy agenda Tuesday night, with proceedings briefly interrupted by a Wi-Fi outage and a temporary adjournment as severe weather moved through the area.
Commissioners approved roughly $310,000 in wastewater treatment chemicals, $105,570 in drinking water chemicals, $41,950 for citywide tree and stump removal and, after a lengthy discussion, approved an expansion of the Downtown Social District to include the city amphitheater during events.
The meeting lasted more than two hours and included nine business items and two public hearings. Commissioners Steven Haigh and Anthony Stanfill were absent.
Downtown Social District
One of the night’s most discussed items was a proposed expansion of the city’s Downtown Social District, which allows patrons to carry alcoholic beverages purchased from participating downtown businesses within a designated area currently centered around Main Street.
Participating businesses currently include Useless Creatures, Riviera Theatre and Bar, and Main Street Cafe.
Tuesday night’s proposal would expand the district to include the downtown amphitheater, as well as the sidewalks connecting downtown to the venue.
After a lengthy discussion about whether to place restrictions on when residents could utilize the expanded district, commissioners approved an amended motion made by Lucas Allen—who ultimately voted against his own motion—limiting the expansion to only when events are being held at the amphitheater.
Commissioners said the restriction was intended to prevent unrestricted public drinking in the space while giving police a clearer ability to enforce violations if issues arise.
Police Chief Scott Boling said his department could “work with” the policy and would bring any concerns back to commissioners if problems develop.
“I’m okay with voting on this, Chief [Boling], if you’re okay with this,” Mayor Angel Johnston said, adding she would not have supported the expansion if Boling was not comfortable with it.
Commissioners also raised concerns about residents bringing outside alcohol from home to amphitheater events and said the city will need to educate residents and install clear signage to minimize confusion.
Some commissioners noted similar enforcement concerns already exist under the current social district boundaries, where residents can legally carry drinks into less visible areas behind participating businesses.
The item was approved through two separate motions, both passing 4-1, with Commissioner Lucas Allen casting the lone dissenting vote both times. Commissioners Pat Dane, Torrey Brown, Carolyn McNary, and Mayor Angel Johnston voted yes.
Other business
Commissioners also approved funding for water treatment chemicals, including $105,570 for drinking water treatment chemicals and roughly $310,000 for wastewater treatment plant chemicals.
One resident asked whether the city had alternatives to the chemicals currently being used in drinking water treatment, citing concerns about toxicity.
Public Services Director Amy Roth said the chemicals are required under standards set by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, or EGLE, and that the city remains in compliance.
Commissioners also unanimously approved $41,950 in tree and stump removal throughout the city, a project Roth said is largely tied to cleanup efforts following recent tornado damage.
The city had already budgeted $25,000 for right-of-way tree removal, enough to remove roughly 14 trees. Commissioners approved an additional contract with JC & Sons for broader tree and stump removal work across multiple city departments.
Commissioners also approved $90,000 for sidewalk work to be completed by Northern Construction Services Corporation.
According to the agenda report, the work will include new sidewalk installation as well as removal and replacement of reported trip hazards.
Tornado scare
More than an hour into the meeting, worsening weather prompted Mayor Angel Johnston to temporarily adjourn proceedings and direct attendees to shelter in the City Hall basement as a precaution.
During the adjournment, Johnston briefly returned home to retrieve her dog before rejoining attendees in the basement.
After the storm passed, commissioners returned upstairs and resumed the meeting.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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