ANN ARBOR, MI — As the coronavirus pandemic continues, several downtown Ann Arbor streets may shut down to automobile traffic on weekends starting in mid-June.
City leaders say that would give pedestrians and cyclists more room to get around safely while practicing physical distancing as the economy reopens, and allow more space for businesses whose seating or sales capacities are restricted by state orders to safely operate.
Restaurants and bars could expand patio seating areas into the closed streets on weekends and retail businesses could use closed street areas for weekend sales, according to a proposal heading to City Council.
Council Members Jane Lumm, I-2nd Ward, and Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, and Mayor Christopher Taylor are sponsoring the proposal, which is up for a vote Monday night, June 1.
“Many businesses are on their death bed and hopefully this will help save a few from extinction,” said Ramlawi, owner of the Jerusalem Garden restaurant on Liberty Street.
City officials have been working with leaders of the Main Street, Kerrytown, State Street and South University Avenue business associations and the Downtown Development Authority to come up with the proposal, Ramlawi said.
“It’s not a perfect plan in the sense that all the details aren’t filled in,” he said. “We kind of just want to give these associations the umbrella to work under and then they can program their unique needs under that umbrella.”
The proposal calls for partial or full closure of designated streets and any public parking lots downtown beginning as early as June 13, the day after the governor’s shutdown orders are scheduled to lift. The street closures would start at 2 p.m on Fridays and last until 8 p.m. on Sundays.
A map included with the proposal shows potential closures on Main, Washington, Liberty, Maynard, State, Detroit and Church streets, as well as South U and Forest Avenue.
A map included with Ann Arbor's Healthy Streets proposal shows potential downtown street closures on Main, Washington, Liberty, Maynard, State, Detroit and Church streets, as well as South University and Forest avenues.City of Ann Arbor
The street closures would continue each weekend until the number of people allowed to gather in bars, restaurants and retail stores is no longer restricted for public health and safety reasons related to the COVID-19 crisis, or they could end on another date at the city administrator’s discretion, according to the proposal.
In addition to the weekend closures, the proposal calls for full closure of Maynard Street at all hours starting June 13 at the request of the State Street District.
The DDA is providing a grant of up to $50,000 to the four downtown associations to cover the cost of installing, removing and renting barricades for the street closures, Assistant City Administrator John Fournier told council in a memo.
The DDA will not be charging the associations or businesses for bagging on-street parking meters and will keep in place 143 on-street spaces for free curbside pickup of takeout orders and deliveries, Fournier said.
The set of strategies being put forward, Fournier said, outline how downtown Ann Arbor streets, sidewalks and public parking lots can be used during the pandemic to support economic recovery and build a more resilient community.
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In addition to the changes downtown, city leaders are taking suggestions for closing or modifying other streets.
The city’s Healthy Streets website allows anyone to drop a pin on a map and offer suggestions.
“Tell the city of Ann Arbor where you’d like to see city streets closed to through traffic or street or lane closures to replace driving space with walking, biking and other idea or uses,” the website states.
“Your input, alongside other factors such as safety, connectivity, equity, feasibility, cost, and street jurisdiction or ownership, will be considered by staff and City Council in the decision-making process for which driving lanes should be modified.”
Anyone who wants to provide feedback and doesn't have internet access can call the city at 734-794-6410.
“The Healthy Streets effort is consistent with the nationwide trend of providing ample space for the community to get outside, safely exercise and get where they need to go,” the city stated in an email Friday, May 29.
Generally, changes will be temporary to accommodate times of physical distancing, but longer-term reconfigurations may be considered depending on transportation demand and community support, according to the city.
Park-goers flock to Ann Arbor’s Bandemer Park docks on Memorial Day weekend
Council approved a resolution May 4 to promote safe distancing outdoors, directing staff to research best practices, gather input and consider street reconfigurations.
“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, at least 6-foot social distancing is necessary,” the council resolution stated, adding sidewalks, paths and the public right-of-way should provide opportunities for safe social distancing for all users.
While staff has authorization to test measures on neighborhood streets, council is requiring staff to seek council’s OK before implementing reconfigurations on non-residential streets.
The map of downtown street closures included with the proposal going to council Monday night shows a possible range of closures, what could happen at most, Ramlawi said, adding actual closures downtown won’t be as expansive.
He said he has no plans to create an on-street seating area in front of his downtown restaurant — he just wants the two curbside takeout pickup spots there to remain.
The free parking for carryout orders and deliveries are among the few lifelines downtown businesses have had amid the pandemic, Ramlawi said.
Ramlawi said he doesn’t expect business to be hopping downtown once the shutdown ends. There’s still a lot of trepidation among both consumers and employees about returning to any type of normalcy, he said.
“But I think things are going to be in place for organizations to begin to reconfigure themselves and adapt to the new environment,” he said, expressing hopes that people will become more comfortable after July 4.
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