Morgantown’s past plans to shut down High Street were stymied by the state, so why is the city saying “no” now?
This is the first part of a multi-part series examining the need to increase outdoor space for businesses.
Part two: The Parklet Pandemonium
Part three: Almost Heaven
On Friday, August 28, Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli received an email from the Office of the Governor with a proposal: to close High Street Friday and Saturday nights so bars could expand their outdoor capacity. The proposal was part of Governor Justice’s coronavirus comeback plan, intended to help hurting businesses like bars increase their revenue. But on Monday, August 31, the day bars reopened in Morgantown, Muzzarelli responded to the governor’s office declining the proposal.
Morgantown’s past hopes of shutting down High Street were stymied by the state government—so why is the city saying “no” now?
Here’s the rub. That proposal? Effective for the weekend of September 4, just one week after it had been brought to the city.
“Not only were we concerned for health and safety reasons; there were also issues of logistics—trying to get this organized and getting the resources in place to actually facilitate this within the time frame,” says Mayor Ron Dulaney.
City administration sought input from City Council, the police and fire departments, the Parking Authority, the county commission, retailers’ groups, and others. “The general consensus,” says Muzzarelli, “was that it was going to be extremely difficult to do it safely. While everyone is eager to return to some semblance of normalcy, we all need to be cautious and realistic as we move forward.”
There are the obvious concerns. How would it work? Bars, largely responsible for the mid-July spike in COVID cases, were expected to hold themselves accountable for their outdoor expansion under the governor’s proposal. Yet, seven bar-restaurants visited last weekend by the state Alcohol and Beverage Commission were issued citations for violating COVID-19 guidelines, including a lack of social distancing and not requiring face coverings. And then on Tuesday, hundreds of unmasked students crowded Forest Avenue outside of Fat Daddy’s Bar and Grill. As a result, on Wednesday, the governor shut down bars in Monongalia County indefinitely.
It’s clear that Monongalia County needs to change course. John P. Kuehn of Spencer & Kuehn Fine Jewelry Studio is in favor of a totally pedestrian downtown, although he wasn’t optimistic about the governor’s sudden proposal. It could wreck the future of extending outdoor dining if it didn’t turn out well, he says.
In July, with careful planning, Charleston shut down blocks of Capitol and Hale streets to allow room for outdoor dining. Community-based efforts to close High Street in Morgantown, however, have been met with resistance from the state Division of Highways (DOH), says Charlie McEwuen, owner of Tanner’s Alley, who, in years past, was part of a Main Street Morgantown initiative to hold festivals on Fridays before West Virginia University home football games.
“One of the frustrating things about this experience was that suddenly, all the resources were there and there were no barriers,” Dulaney says. “This shows that the DOH is certainly capable of doing it with enough political will from Charleston.”
While it might be too late for Monongalia County bars, there’s still time to refocus efforts on creating more outdoor parklets for Morgantown restaurants. Who will lead the charge?
Part two: The Parklet Pandemonium
Part three: Almost Heaven
Downtown pedestrian malls have failed almost everywhere that they have been tried and there is no reason to think that Morgantown would be any different.
I think this is the best idea I heard in Morgantown for a long time. These are very popular in Europe and work very well by providing more space for outdoor dining and creating a more peaceful more inviting atmosphere, without all the traffic. We need more of this in WV and the US, you can be social without saying a word to anyone, just to be out and seeing others. Focusing on people vs the convenience of cars is always a win, plus you can get some exercise.
You apparently don’t travel or get out much. There are some exceptional and successful pedestrian malls, including in Charlottsville, home of UVA, Winchester, Cumberland, MD, Miami, Boston, Portland and the list goes on. You’re “almost everywhere” comment is absolutely ridiculous.
I understand the concerns. I had a close older friend die from the additional stress that this Virus put on his already stressed condition. I understand that the “government”, whether it be national, state, or municipal, feels that it is expected or responsible to try to control the situation. However, in my opinion, this should be left up to individual responsibility. The “government” is not going to control this or any other virus. No matter what the government does, this virus is going to run its course. Are we really willing to give up or freedom until such time as the government determines that it is safe? How long will that be? I know I’m speaking in a broader sense than just closing a few streets for a few days. Will the businesses affected survive yet another round of shutdowns? What is it that makes our lives worth living? To me Freedom is a big part of that worth. It is definitely not my intent to upset or anger anyone. Thank You for letting me voice my concerns. Happy Labor Day?
VERY GOOD IDEA!! That street is just too narrow for traffic. Why not turn it into a pedestrian street? GREAT IDEA!!