NORTHVILLE, Mich. – After a judge ordered Main and Center streets to be reopened to traffic, Northville residents on both sides are speaking about the issue.
“I’m still able to have fun as an adult with my wife, downtown, but my family’s not enjoying it the way that we used to before when the streets were closed,” said Northville resident Dan Pharaoh.
“Birmingham doesn’t close the streets, Plymouth doesn’t close the streets, South Lyon doesn’t close the streets; those are all really thriving communities. Okay. Bring the fan back,” said Northville resident Patricia Kragian.
The streets closing for six months out of the year has totally divided residents of Northville, with some residents claiming the closure causes traffic congestion on surrounding streets. Resident Laurie Johnson doesn’t see it that way.
“It’s just brought so much community to our area - to truly feel comfortable to just use the downtown space as our front porch, if you will, to be together - to really just support what we believe in in Northville and community,” said Johnson.
Businesses on the street are falling on both sides of the dispute.
“When we’re spending a million dollars or more to upgrade Ford Field with all of the amenities and all of the activities that are available down there, but instead, we want to ignore that million dollars and keep the streets closed so we can continue to entertain ourselves there,” said Jeff Jacobs.
The group, “Let’s Open Northville,” that has been spearheading the reopening, proposed that the city follow a new set of rules.
But city officials voting Tuesday night decided to shoot down the proposal, potentially in hopes of an appeal.
“We are trying to bring the city together. We are trying to look at what’s best for the city,” said Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull.
“I’m just very pleased that the city of Northville will have the opportunity now to appeal this lawsuit. I’m so sad that this ever went to the courts in the first place,” Johnson said.
The city council should be releasing a statement on their next move first thing on Wednesday.