The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety voted Dec. 1 to permit a sidewalk and partial outside‑lane closure at 1605 Franklin St. so Green City Demolition can stage a dumpster and conduct interior demolition work.

Dan Thomas, president of Green City Demolition, said the company will use machines to access the building facade and place a dumpster; the firm planned the closure to be taken on weekends and said the work would likely take four weeks but could run up to six weeks. Marcus Briscoe, the city co‑enforcement manager, said a permit had been submitted Nov. 24 and remained under review at the time of the meeting; city engineer Tim Warner and Captain Jesse from the police department said required signage and traffic controls were acceptable.

Public commenters supported timely approval so the project could proceed and one caller asked the board to consider a 100‑day permit extension to avoid demolition delay over the winter. The board voted to approve the closure and asked enforcement staff to check on the permitting timeline and, where necessary, expedite reviews.

Next steps include permit approval by enforcement staff and coordination with the contractor on signage, snow‑removal responsibilities and traffic management during the work.