The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program (TRDDA) is working with business owners in the Main Street Historic District to develop outdoor seating options as a solution to pandemic concerns. 

Under new state rules and laws developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to advocacy by the Michigan Municipal League, several tools are available to bars and restaurants. The Riviera Theatre Bar is close to opening outdoor seating adjacent to its front door under one such option. 

Now, Venue 45 and Kelsey Block Brewing Company are considering another possibility. At a regular board meeting Friday, TRDDA Executive Director Tricia Meyer said she is working with the two businesses to establish an “outdoor social zone,” which permits two or more businesses with active liquor licenses to create an adjacent, common zone with outdoor seating.

The proposed area would be on a pair of grass strips between the East Parking Lot sidewalk and the buildings’ walkways behind the east side of downtown. Under Michigan Liquor Control Commission rules, no restaurant service would take place, meaning patrons would have to go inside to obtain food and drink before bringing it out to the designated area. No outside food or drink would be permitted. 

There are several issues to be resolved before the idea can come to fruition. There are several steps for the businesses and TRDDA to work through in the permitting process, including obtaining a supporting resolution by the Three Rivers City Commission. Because the proposed seating areas would be on city property, coordination will need to take place with the Three Rivers Police Department as well. 

“It sounds complicated,” Meyer said, but the solution is proving helpful elsewhere. “A lot of downtowns are doing versions of this.”

Railroad Drive Repaving Plans Taking Shape

The City of Three Rivers is in line for a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation to rebuild and repave Railroad Drive, which runs behind the west side of downtown in Three Rivers. The work will also include water and sewer upgrades while the street is torn apart. Meyer met recently with City Manager Joe Bippus, Department of Public Services Director Amy Roth, and a group of property owners to discuss other components the project might include.

Addition of a sidewalk is up for consideration but depends on whether space can be negotiated. A sidewalk would either occupy parts of adjacent building easements or railroad property, depending on whether it were installed on the east or the west side of the street.

Dumpster Issue Addressed

Over the years it has existed, the TRDDA has helped coordinate different trash options for downtown businesses, residents, and building owners. Typically, there have been dumpsters placed at various points on Railroad Avenue, Joshua Drive, and the adjacent parking lots, with those costs borne by the property owners. There are currently about 10 dumpsters. 

In previous years, TRDDA collected the user fees. More recently, the dumpster suppliers began billing users directly, with TRDDA only intervening when necessary.

Currently Waste Management (WM) supplies most of the dumpsters but has been receiving inconsistent payment from the various users. It also has had trouble identifying and contacting current business owners. To address the issue Meyer has been working between WM and property owners to identify who is assigned to which dumpster, getting them in contact with one another, and facilitating communication about arrangements with WM. 

Meyer said contact has largely been re-established, and as that happens, WM and Meyer are working out arrangements to ensure the dumpsters are paid for. In order to prevent illegal use by those who are not paying for them, some property owners have jointly agreed with WM to install locks on the dumpsters. 

As a result, there have been some issues with people leaving trash on the ground beside the dumpsters. Meyer told board members she has addressed the major incidents with people involved thus far. Because the situation is new and developing, Meyer, Bippus, and other board members agreed to consider further solutions based on the situation once the transition is over.

Other TRDDA/Main Street Business:

• TRDDA’s Economic Vitality committee continues to advance its work in business recruitment, including an ongoing public survey to help determine what businesses to prioritize for recruitment next, and development of informational documents on properties that are available for development.
• Meyer and TRDDA Organization Committee member Amanda Yearling are working with Department of Public Services staff member John Beebe and other stakeholders on a Downtown Plan and a citywide Marketing Plan. The work is part of an ongoing process facilitated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Called “Redevelopment Ready Communities,” the program is meant to assist municipalities around the state to streamline and strategize their business recruitment efforts.
• Work on beautifying the East Walkthrough connecting Main Street to the parking lot on Joshua Drive continues. A recent MEDC grant has allowed TRDDA’s Design Committee to install lighting, artwork, and other amenities to the space. Design Committee head Michael Hogoboom said he is picking up additional artwork shortly. With the base elements of the improvement program installed, the committee is considering additional amenities with its remaining funds. Meyer thanked Hogoboom and Three Rivers Improvement Movement member Mike Curtis for their work on the project.
• With many already cancelled, 2020’s remaining downtown events remain on hold while awaiting further pandemic developments.
• Applications have been moving forward for previously discussed MEDC grants to which businesses can apply in order to help mitigate pandemic impacts. Applications do not pass through the TRDDA, but based on conversations and assistance she provided, Meyer estimated that about 10 businesses submitted applications. Awardees will be announced in September.
• Meyer asked people to be on the lookout for information regarding a series of minor thefts of flowers from plantings in public areas and belonging to businesses in the downtown and along Michigan Avenue.
• TRDDA board members approved $500 for a required security deposit on its office space at 57 North Main Street. The building is under new ownership, which requires a new lease with new terms.
• The board also accepted an expenditure for $222.30 that allows purchase of two additional elements for a previously approved, mid-street crosswalk warning sign at the crosswalk on North Main Street halfway between Michigan and Portage Avenues. The additions include a pair of fiberglass posts that flank the main sign and are meant to provide additional visibility and traffic-calming.

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.