Grosse Ile DDA advances Macomb Street social district plan; public meeting set for April 24

The Grosse Ile Township Downtown Development Authority reviewed a proposed Macomb Street social district and agreed to advance a recommendation and supporting resolution to the township board for state review. The DDA set a public meeting for 04/24/2025 at the VFW to present the proposal to residents and business owners.

Ross (DDA director) outlined the social district concept and Michigan’s enabling law, enacted in July 2020, which permits local governments to designate areas where customers may carry and consume alcohol purchased from participating establishments. He said the draft district would include Macomb Street businesses — Lloyd’s, Perdino’s, Sully’s, the Literary Hideaway (pending license), and Galindo’s (license pending) — and would cover Lions Park and Macomb Commons down to Nate’s Market.

Ross explained key rules under the proposal: alcoholic beverages must be purchased from a participating, licensed business; cups must be non-glass, hold less than 16 ounces, display the permit holder’s logo and the Macomb Street Social District logo, and be disposable (not refilled or reused). If a retailer without a liquor license (for example, a bakery) does not hold a social-district permit, customers may not take social-district cups into that business even if the merchant is personally willing. A merchant with a permit may choose to be “social-district friendly” and allow customers with a district cup to enter.

“The township designates the social district, including signage, boundaries, hours of operation, and maintenance,” Ross said while summarizing the proposed management plan and outreach materials.

Mister Parsarelli, who said he intends to speak about the DDA’s work during his supervisor’s report to the township board next month, pressed for clarity on boundaries and enforcement. He confirmed with staff that the district boundary is the public commons area (sidewalks and designated park space) across the defined stretch of Macomb Street and not the private interior of nonparticipating businesses. Parsarelli also requested that the DDA finalize recommended hours and maintenance plans before the township vote.

The DDA discussed operations detail in the draft management plan: the DDA director would manage the district, collect social-district permit applications from businesses, mail brochures and a QR-linked survey to residents and businesses, post signage and pavement markings, purchase and supply branded disposable cups to participating businesses, and run public education. Ross said the DDA proposes operating seven days a week, from midnight to 10 p.m., but noted the plan is open to adjustment.

On liability, Ross said overservice liability remains with the business that served the patron; the township’s enforcement responsibility is the same as for any licensed establishment. The DDA also discussed practical matters raised by board members: more trash cans for events, temporary cardboard trash receptacles for gatherings, and outreach to residents. Ross said the brochure packet and a public meeting will be used to collect resident feedback; the DDA previously received limited response to an earlier outreach three years prior.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: the DDA will finalize its recommendation and resolution to the township board, include a management plan and district boundary map in the packet, host the televised public meeting at the VFW on April 24, 2025, mail informational brochures to Macomb Street residents and businesses, and gather public feedback through a survey.

No formal DDA vote adopting the resolution was recorded at this meeting; the DDA will vote on a recommendation at a subsequent meeting before the township forwards the package to the state liquor control authority.