News Summary
Northville is embroiled in a legal dispute following a court ruling that mandates the reopening of downtown streets to vehicle traffic. The ruling was issued by Wayne County Circuit Judge Charlene Elder and has sparked opposition from city officials, who plan to appeal the decision. Residents have mixed feelings about the closures, with some advocating for reopening and others supporting maintaining pedestrian-friendly environments. The ruling raises concerns about the city’s authority in managing public streets, particularly in the context of community and economic development.
Northville is currently engaged in a legal battle following a ruling that mandates the reopening of downtown streets to vehicle traffic, a decision that city officials are actively opposing. Wayne County Circuit Judge Charlene Elder issued the ruling on July 9, which orders the removal of bollards that have blocked off Center and Main streets to vehicular access. The ruling came in favor of a lawsuit filed by a group called Let’s Open Northville, which argued that the street closures were in violation of the city’s charter.
In response to the judge’s ruling, Northville’s city government is planning to file an appeal. City officials contend that the court’s interpretation undermines their authority to manage public streets for the benefit of community and economic development. Residents have expressed their support for maintaining the closures through letters and public comments, particularly during city council meetings held on July 15 and July 29.
Judge Elder remarked that the streets have been intended for public travel for over 185 years and are generally only closed for special events. The initial closures of Main and Center streets were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate socially distanced outdoor dining. Following this, in 2022, Northville’s city council voted to continue the closures year-round, setting seasonal re-closures for late April through early November in 2023.
Let’s Open Northville founder Mary Elwart-Keys testified that the closure of the streets had resulted in redirected traffic to neighboring roads, causing disturbances, including vibrations felt in her historic home. Conversely, local business owners have claimed that increased foot traffic resulting from the street closures had a positive impact on sales, creating a complex narrative during court hearings.
The city has indicated that this ruling could significantly restrict its ability to manage public assets in the future. Just a few days later, on July 18, Let’s Open Northville filed a motion seeking the removal of concrete blocks used for outdoor dining, arguing that the configuration violated the court’s order.
The Northville Downtown Development Authority Director, Kate Knight, noted that outdoor street dining has been a permitted activity since the early 2010s. However, the Michigan Downtown Association has voiced its opposition to Let’s Open Northville’s latest motion, advocating for flexible usage of public roadways.
Local residents appear to have mixed views on the street closures. Some have displayed pink yard signs advocating for reopening the streets, a campaign that emerged after certain community members felt their perspectives were overlooked during discussions. On the other side, there are residents who support the closures, arguing that they enhance walkability in the downtown area.
Access to businesses on these streets is a concern for many downtown property owners, who believe the closures impede customer visibility and access. Northville’s Mayor, Brian Turnbull, has expressed his opposition to permanent street closures, stating potential loss of significant road funding could occur if the streets remain shut to traffic.
The city council is currently contemplating a resolution to reassess the status of the streets, spurred by increasing local requests for change. Additionally, the city’s mobility task force has put forward a recommendation for a policy that permits seasonal street closures. This approach aims to mitigate traffic issues while also responding to pedestrian interests.
In a bid for greater management of traffic flow during events and daily operations, town officials are investigating the feasibility of installing retractable bollards. This solution could provide a balance between public access and maintaining the desired pedestrian-friendly environment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Northville City to Appeal Court Ruling on Street Closures
Northville’s Legal Battle Over Outdoor Dining Barriers
Legal Challenge Puts Northville’s Outdoor Dining at Risk
Northville’s Legal Battle Over Outdoor Dining Heats Up
Northville Faces Legal Dispute Over Downtown Street Barriers
Nonprofit Group Aims to Ban Outdoor Dining in Northville
Let’s Open Northville Aims to Eliminate Outdoor Dining
Northville to Reopen Main and Center Streets to Traffic
Northville Reopens Downtown Streets After Court Ruling
Royal Oak Revamps Downtown Parking System
Additional Resources
- Detroit News: Northville Plans to Challenge Ruling on Street Closures
- WXYZ: Northville Residents, Businesses Split Over Court Ruling
- Detroit News: Downtown Northville Streets to Close Friday
- Wikipedia: Northville, Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Northville
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.
