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Council approves three‑year renewal for Art in the Park after safety concerns at police lot
Summary
After council members and the police chief raised concerns about vendor load‑in, blocked handicap spaces and access to the police station, the council approved a three‑year renewal for the Chamber’s Art in the Park on Park Avenue and asked staff and the Chamber to pursue relocation options and possible contract opt‑out language.
The Blowing Rock Town Council on Sept. 9 approved a three‑year renewal for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Art in the Park event on Park Avenue, after months of discussion about public‑safety impacts and vendor load‑in practices.
Robin Miller, president and CEO of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, told council the chamber reduced the event’s scale this year from roughly 90 artist booths to 70 to ease congestion and improve load‑in and load‑out operations. Miller said the event generates non‑dues revenue that helps fund chamber operations and that merchants report increased sales on event days.
Police Chief Kirk told council the event has repeatedly caused access problems at the police department lot and impeded handicapped parking during event days; he described earlier August problems when vehicles and equipment boxed in staff and made access difficult. “There’s been multiple things,” the chief said, and told council he had been working with chamber staff to find solutions.
Councilmembers said they supported keeping Art in the Park but wanted more flexibility to address safety problems that could arise as construction and other changes affect downtown parking. Several councilmembers said five years was too long to lock in a single location; council agreed a three‑year approval would balance event stability and the ability to respond to future needs.
Council also directed staff and the chamber to explore: clearer load‑in rules, signage to direct emergency responders and visitors to the police station during event days, and potential alternate locations for vendor placement. Council discussed adding contract language that would allow either party to amend or opt out in extenuating circumstances, and staff said they would draft a more formal agreement to return to council.
Council moved, amended the motion to a three‑year approval and voted to approve the amended motion. Councilmembers present voted aye; no recorded opposed votes were taken.
