The Belleville City Council unanimously approved a plan to close part of Main Street every Monday this summer between 6 and 9 p.m. for a “Cruisin’ on the Bayou” car show.
At Monday’s council meeting, the project was discussed at length and the approval stipulated working out the many details involved. Supporters wanted to get a decision in time to get it in the Cruisin’ magazine which lists all summer events.
The Monday cruise events will run from June 4 through Sept. 24, and longer if the response demands. The street will be closed from Fifth Street to Third Street.
Dan Wilson of the Cruisin’ Team said he has been doing cruises for 30 years and their event in Depot Town brings 500 cars.
He said it was a great opportunity for Belleville because people who bring their cars and families can use the city’s restaurants, drug store, hardware store and visit the museum, library, and antique store. They can go out for ice cream at Frosty Boy.
He said people will come from all over, even from Ohio, for a family outing. He stressed the cars coming will be worth from $3,000 to $30,000 and they are not kids, “Not a bunch of Yahoos – no trouble.”
There will be a disc jockey and art activities for children at the Bayou, but no vendors unless approved by the city.
“It’s not about the Bayou Grill; it’s about Belleville,” stressed the Bayou representative.
Still to be worked out are some details, including what about the usual banning of parking on Liberty Street When Main Street is closed? Fire Chief Bryan Loranger said fire trucks can’t get through when there’s parking on both sides of Liberty. Do the no parking signs have to be put up each Monday? DPS Director Keith Boc said it takes his men half a day of work to put up similar signs for Strawberry Festival.
Steve Jones suggested making signs that say no parking on Mondays, 6-9 p.m., and then leave them up all summer.
Then, there’s the job of putting up stop signs at Liberty and East Huron River Drive to help traffic move along when Main Street is closed. And, there are barricades and signs that have to be put up and taken down each Monday after the DPS has gone home.
Wilson said volunteers from the cruisers will put up signs.
“It’s the general consensus this is a good idea,” said Mayor Kerreen Conley, speaking for the council. “To work out all the details in a council meeting is not a good idea.” She suggested the Cruisin’ Team sit down with the police chief, Boc, and others to work out the logistics.
After four weeks of operation, the Cruisin’ Team was directed to report to City Manager Diana Kollmeyer to let the city know how it’s going and if all the details had been worked out.
Brian Copsey of the Bayou, who was not present, was quoted as saying he would personally contact all the businesses affected by the street closing and others, to keep them informed of the project and give them the opportunity to take advantage of all the potential customers that will be in town.
Fire Dept.’s 100th anniversary
The Fire Department’s request to close Main Street for a parade on Oct. 13 during Harvest Fest to mark the 100th anniversary of the department was deferred until the next council meeting, until details have been ironed out for the whole day of celebration.
The Fire Department had planned to park antique fire equipment at Victory Park, but may decide to park them on Main Street with other visiting current fire department vehicles from other communities. If so, Main Street would have to be closed longer than for the parade.
The 100th anniversary celebration includes a private dinner on Oct. 12 for all past and present members of the fire department, a breakfast on Oct. 13, the parade, an historic muster of fire apparatus, a kids area, and a Chinese lantern release at dusk from the Denton Road bridge.
The lanterns would be a tribute to all past fire fighters who served the city, said Fire Chief Loranger.
Tom Fielder said the museum has a fire exhibit on display and is planning a round table in the future, so people who remember the Belleville High School fire, for example, can share their memories.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the council:
• Approved the Canton Lions Club request to accept donations for White Canes on the streets of Belleville on various times from April 27 to May 6. They will borrow the required reflective vests from the Belleville Police Department;
• Approved the request from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4434 and Polish Legion of American Veterans Post #167 to accept donations for Buddy Poppies May 10-12 on the streets of Belleville. They have their own reflective vests; and
• Approved accounts payable of $189,575.09, including the following departmental purchases in excess of $500: to Allie Brothers for police uniforms, $732.30; to Bio-Care for physical exam, $725; to Blue Ribbon for demolition of house, $3,900 (from funds in trust); and to Service Electric, $865.90 for lamp/ballast.