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Transportation committee moves to expedite May 17 street closure request for Porchfest finale
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Summary
The Transportation committee reviewed a late application from Jackie O's owner to close Grant and part of Campbell for the Near East Side Porch Fest finale on May 17 and said it will seek a suspension of rules at full council next week to handle the request on an accelerated timeline.
The Athens City Council Transportation committee considered a late application to close Grant Street and part of Campbell Street (south of Stimson) for the Near East Side Porch Fest finale on Sunday, May 17, and indicated it will ask the full council to suspend rules next week to allow timely action.
The applicant, identified in committee as Art Oestreich, owner of Jackie O's Taproom, requested closures to allow an estimated crowd and to provide space for setup. The application asked for the closure from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the event, with setup beginning at 10 a.m. and reopening to traffic at 11 p.m. The applicant estimated up to 250 people; a Porchfest organizer who spoke during public comment said she expects at least double that figure in the small area.
Committee members reviewed logistics shown on a map and said the closure plan preserves access to nearby facilities, including VFW entrances and handicapped parking. The chair said the closure will be barricaded and that emergency access routes would remain available. Committee members also discussed whether the event would need an F-2 alcohol permit from the state; officials noted that the area falls within the DORA footprint, which may obviate a separate permit for certain service configurations, but the applicant may choose to file for a permit.
Because the requested event date is May 17, the chair said he will ask full council next week to suspend the rules so the application can be handled in time. The committee did not hold a final vote at this meeting.
