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City staff: Opelika Main Street will handle downtown event reservations and streamline street-closure requests
Summary
During a work-session discussion, staff explained that Opelika Main Street now handles downtown event reservations and coordinates with police and businesses to reduce double-bookings; fees for Courthouse Square use are now consolidated and Main Street will manage logistical details.
In a work-session exchange before the regular meeting on June 2, city staff explained a change to how downtown events and street closures are handled: Opelika Main Street, rather than Parks and Recreation, will now process reservations for Courthouse Square and other downtown venues and will coordinate vendor and business outreach.
A staff member said the change was made after confusion and informal gatherings, noting that Courthouse Square is public but organized events that include food trucks and vendors require a special-event approval. "We switched it back to Parks and Recreation and they take the reservations like they take all the pavilions and all the other things we rent around town," the staff member said; the city then moved responsibility for downtown reservations to Opelika Main Street to reduce double bookings and to improve local coordination.
Council members asked how far in advance organizations should contact Main Street. Staff said the event-packet and guidelines are available through Main Street and on the city's website, and that Kelsey at Opelika Main Street will handle communications with organizers and downtown businesses. Staff also said fees for Courthouse Square use have been consolidated into a single package that covers items such as trash cans and coordination with adjacent businesses.
The stated goal is to "streamline it, make it easier and cut down on conflict," a staff member said, adding that Main Street staff more directly maintain relationships with downtown businesses and will notify police if an unauthorized vendor or food truck needs to be cleared.
Council requested that Main Street provide each council member with the written guidelines and the packet so elected officials can explain the process to constituents. Staff said the packet had been distributed at a recent meeting and is available on the city website, and staff offered to refresh the council distribution list for nonprofit organizers.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with council members to provide the event packet and a contact list so councilors and organizers have clear guidance ahead of busy weekends.
