In a decision that marks the end of a contentious debate in Northville, a Wayne County judge has ordered the city to reopen its downtown streets to traffic by July 15. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, is a response to a lawsuit initiated by a group called "Let's Open Northville." The retractable bollards at the heart of the controversy, which have been preventing traffic on Center and Main streets, will be lowered as a result, putting an end to the extended street closures that began as a temporary pandemic measure and continued as a seasonal tradition to support the local social district.
"The premise of the whole matter was that they violated both the constitutional and the state rights of our members and the residents of Northville by taking up the streets, and that was affirmed by the judge," Joseph Corriveau, attorney and co-counsel for Let's Open Northville, told WXYZ Detroit. In her ruling, Judge Charlene Elder stated that the city did not offer a valid public purpose for the recurring closures that only appeared to benefit a few businesses. Mary Elwart-Keys, founder of Let’s Open Northville, expressed relief over the decision, noting it was unsafe for school buses to be diverted through residential neighborhoods due to the street restrictions.
However, the mandate has elicited a mixed reaction from the community. While some business owners like Michelle Lussier, owner of Lucy and the Wolf and Table 5, invested heavily in infrastructure to cater to the street closures and benefited from added outdoor seating, others saw declining customer traffic and revenue. "We have a kit of parts that we'll implement in the meantime, to comply with this quick turnaround to open for vehicular traffic, but we're really undaunted by the challenge of accommodating for our downtown business," Kate Knight, Executive Director of the Downtown Northville Development Authority, explained to WXYZ Detroit. Similarly, long-time residents Laurie and Tim Johnson voiced concerns that businesses might not thrive without the distinct, pedestrian-friendly environment centered in Northville's unique offering, giving the place a sense of community.
Despite the disagreements, City Manager George Lahanas has stated that the city plans to comply with the court's order. "Although we are disappointed with the ruling, we will fully comply with the Court's order," Lahanas said. The ruling does make allowances for the city to close off streets for festivals, parades, and special events. Meanwhile, many community members argue that re-opening the streets will increase parking availability, reduce congestion, and improve access to businesses like Northville Physical Rehabilitation, whose owner, Dennis Engerer, testified about the difficulties clients faced reaching his business during the closures, Hometown Life reports.
