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Council approves street closure to return Milstream Arts Festival to Main Street
Summary
The council approved closing Minnesota Street and part of College Avenue on Aug. 31 so the Milstream Arts Festival can return to Main Street; organizers said the move restores more space for about 50–55 artists and an expected 5,000–6,000 attendees.
The City Council voted to close portions of downtown streets on Aug. 31 to accommodate the Milstream Arts Festival, returning the event to Main Street.
Staff recommended approving a closure of Minnesota Street from 2nd Avenue Northwest to 1st AB Northeast, with an added closure of College Avenue from Ash Street to Baker Street to create a T-block for the event. A Milstream Arts Festival representative told the council the festival is moving back to Main Street "because our artists prefer Main Street" and that organizers expect about "50 to 55 artists" and "14 authors," with roughly "5,000 to 6,000 people" attending.
The applicant said the move is not intended to increase vendor counts but to give vendors more room for set-up and public circulation after a two-year experiment on College Avenue. Staff and council members discussed traffic flow and noted the additional College Avenue closure was included in the applicant's request. Council member Asha Baker (as referenced during discussion) asked staff to confirm traffic and intersection closure details; staff confirmed those limits were in the written request.
A motion to approve the street-closure request was moved and seconded; the council voted in favor and the motion carried.
The closure will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 31, while the festival is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers and staff said they will coordinate traffic controls and operations. The council did not specify additional permit conditions during the meeting.
