Ishpeming council approves Wilderness Sports sidewalk sale with northbound lane closure and Division Street disallowed

The Ishpeming City Council approved a special-event application from Wilderness Sports for sidewalk sales on Aug. 7 and Nov. 6, imposing a condition to close the northbound lane of Main Street from Division Street to the alley and prohibiting use of Division Street because Division is under Michigan Department of Transportation jurisdiction.

Councilors and staff raised safety concerns about pedestrian visibility at the corner in front of Wilderness Sports and recalled prior “close calls” when merchandise extended into sightlines. One council member said closing the northbound lane or blocking at the alley would reduce the risk of vehicles turning into pedestrians and displays.

A council member proposed the condition to block the northbound lane for the hours of the sale. The police chief (unnamed in the transcript) and other council members discussed blocking at the alley as a compromise to keep businesses accessible while addressing the sightline and right-turn issues. The council passed the motion with the amendment requiring the lane closure from Division Street to the alley and specifically disallowing any use of Division Street for the sales.

The council noted that Division Street is under MDOT control, so the city cannot authorize uses on that street. Council members did not provide a written traffic plan in the meeting record; they said organizers must place merchandise on the sidewalk area north of the alley and that barricades would be used to restrict the lane for the event hours.