Blueberry Festival 3-on-3 basketball event prompts street closure compromise downtown

The return of a 3-on-3 basketball event to the streets of downtown Plymouth during this year's Marshall County Blueberry Festival is generating excitement among local merchants, but the logistics of setting up the competition sparked a lively discussion at Monday evening's Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Festival coordinator Tracy Houin told the Board she was "thrown a curveball" when she learned that the Colorado-based company running the event needs a minimum of six hours to set up on Michigan Street. The setup process is extensive — the company cleans the streets, measures the various basketball courts, paints the court lines directly on the pavement, and brings in the basketball goals.

Houin had already secured a permit from the state and city to close Michigan Street for the three blocks between LaPorte and Adams Street on Saturday for the competition itself, but she also needed city approval — for the Friday morning setup requirement, which added a new wrinkle to the request.

Her biggest concern was getting vehicles parked along Michigan Street moved in time for the setup crew to begin their work. The original request called for closing Michigan Street from LaPorte to Washington Streets on Friday morning, September 4th, sometime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Board members and city officials were not immediately on board with that timeline. Board member Dave Morrow raised concerns about traffic flow for attendees heading to the Mayor's Summer of Music concert that Friday evening. Houin assured the Board that LaPorte Street would remain open, allowing traffic to move around the downtown area.

Mayor Listenberger noted that downtown merchants would not be happy with an all-day closure of Michigan Street in the retail district. Board member Don Ecker said he was not in favor of closing the street at 8 in the morning, adding that the only way he would consider the closure was if it were pushed later in the afternoon.

Board member and downtown retail business owner Shiloh Milner said she understood the issue but felt that 4 p.m. would be a workable compromise for everyone involved. Morrow noted that the request had changed dramatically from what was originally presented to the Board.

After discussion, the Board reached a compromise and unanimously approved closing Michigan Street between LaPorte and Adams Streets at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 4th. Washington Street must remain open throughout the entire event.

Signs will be posted downtown to warn those shopping, dining, or conducting business that vehicles must be removed from Michigan Street by the 3 p.m. deadline or face being towed.