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Council discusses expanding downtown Social District to Walnut and Trowbridge; trash and operations raised as concerns
Summary
Council discussed a staff proposal to expand Allegan's downtown Social District to include Walnut and Trowbridge streets to create a continuous loop to the Griswold Auditorium. Staff said amendments would be filed with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission; council members raised operational concerns including trash receptacles and collection costs.
City staff and downtown advocates brought an initial proposal on Aug. 25 to expand Allegan's downtown Social District to include Walnut and Trowbridge streets, creating a walking loop that would improve access to the Griswold Auditorium and other venues.
Parker Johnson summarized the concept and said the plan excludes a privately owned county courthouse parking lot and would require a council resolution amending the current Social District plan and an update to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) filing. He noted two incoming downtown restaurants that staff expect will participate in the district once they complete their openings and required MLCC filings.
Council members welcomed the idea but raised practical concerns. One member said Social District cups have appeared on private property and in residential yards and asked whether additional trash receptacles and collection would be needed. Staff said the route currently lacks trash cans and that adding receptacles would increase collection costs and staff time; they suggested trash needs would be evaluated as part of reconstruction planning for Walnut and Trowbridge. Another council member recommended contacting nearby churches and neighborhood stakeholders because the expansion would extend into more residential areas.
Staff said the proposal will return on a future agenda as a formal resolution and noted the process to amend the plan with the MLCC is administrative once the council adopts a local plan update.
