News Summary
A Wayne County judge has ordered the reopening of Main and Center streets in downtown Northville, concluding a controversial period of road closures initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision follows a lawsuit from ‘Let’s Open Northville,’ a group of local businessowners. Judge Charlene Elder ruled that the closures violated city charter and state law, prompting the city to comply. Public testimony indicated mixed community reactions, with business owners expressing concerns over declining sales. The judge emphasized that streets should primarily accommodate vehicle traffic, allowing temporary closures only for events.
Northville – A Wayne County judge has ordered the reopening of Main and Center streets in downtown Northville, effectively ending a contentious period of road closures that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the group “Let’s Open Northville,” which comprises local business and property owners who challenged the city’s decision to keep the streets closed to vehicle traffic.
Judge Charlene Elder stated that the street closures violated the city’s charter and state law. She mandated that the city remove the bollards blocking the streets by midnight on Tuesday, setting a firm deadline for compliance. While concerns were raised about the timeframe, Northville Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Kate Knight affirmed that the city could meet the deadline, while City Manager George Lahanas confirmed the city’s intent to comply with the court’s ruling, despite feelings of disappointment regarding the decision.
The controversy surrounding the closures began in 2022 when the City Council voted to permanently close both streets, contrary to a recommendation from the Downtown Development Authority to keep one street seasonally open. In April 2023, the council extended the seasonal closures from late April through early November. The judge’s recent ruling signifies a shift in direction after a lengthy debate over how to balance public access and business needs.
Judge Elder emphasized in her ruling that roads are historically purposed for vehicular travel and should be closed only for specific events, such as festivals. Testimonies presented during the trial revealed a range of community opinions regarding the closures. Some residents reported negative experiences due to increased traffic and safety concerns on adjacent streets. Business owners reported a considerable drop in their daily sales after the street closures, with some indicating their revenue plummeted from $6,000 to $1,500 a day. Although some restaurateurs experienced an uptick in foot traffic and outdoor seating capacity during the closures, the judge concluded that the overall adverse effects on community access and property rights outweighed these benefits.
Public testimony brought to light that the closures resulted in negative traffic implications, property damage, and increased risks to pedestrians. The judge noted that the city had not sufficiently justified the need for maintaining street closures post-pandemic.
Moreover, while the ruling mandates the reopening of the streets to vehicular traffic, it does allow for temporary street closures for festivals and other special events in the future. Mayor Brian Turnbull has acknowledged the division within the community regarding the street closures, though he did not provide further comments following the ruling.
As the city moves forward with the judge’s directive, the decision underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the use and configuration of downtown Northville, where the interests of businesses and residents continue to clash. With a deadline for reopening looming, the fate of Main and Center streets remains at the forefront of local discussions.
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Additional Resources
- Hometown Life
- Google Search: Northville court ruling
- WXYZ
- Wikipedia: Northville, Michigan
- Detroit News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Northville
- Click On Detroit
- Google News: Northville streets reopened
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
