One block of Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor to close Wednesday
A block of South Main Street will be closed for much of Wednesday in downtown Ann Arbor due to a party for the NJATC’s National Training Institute.
The block party will close the road from 2 to 11 p.m. between William and Liberty streets.
One block of downtown Ann Arbor will close from 2 to 11 p.m. Wednesday for a block party.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The annual National Training Institute event is from July 27 to Aug. 2 and includes a trade show and seminars at the University of Michigan.
About 1,800 people are registered for the event, said Denise Jenkins, meeting and event coordinator for the NJATC.
The block party itself lasts from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jenkins said.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
A2GreenRunner
Thu, Aug 1, 2013 : 3:28 a.m.
The NJATC folks have been nothing but positive since they started coming to Ann Arbor. Besides the commerce they bring to town with their training program, their people who come from all over the country have supported Food Gatherers and Habitat for Humanity projects - and for three years have been the impetus and main sponsor for the Electric Bolt 5K (and now 8K), which, with support of the Ann Arbor Track Club, raises money for Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3.org). The race would not happen without NJATC sponsorship. Many of their people are dedicated to the cause to cure Lou Gehrig's Disease, run or walk the race(s), raise donation money on their own and donate their own money - and they have attracted and matched other donors. I'd close Main Street once a week all summer if NJATC could be here all summer! They've been exemplary visitors, in my opinion. Check out the happy faces at this Picasa album: https://picasaweb.google.com/103188449930202232982/3rdAnnualElectricBolt8k5k?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCID_sYj07uqhzwE&feat=directlink or at A2A3.org. THANK YOU, NJATC MEMBERS!
LXIX
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
Being positive for a moment We cerainly do welcome the Electrical Contractors and Electrical Workers to Ann Arbor ! Welcome ! Have a great time ! If it weren't for the wiring codes that the Unions helped establish and rigorously adhere to, the area real estate market would be in the ash heap. Literally. Given our "imported" construction techniques and reliance upon landlord inspections, reported fires no longer spontaneously break out under sinks or behind walls. In basements, or in attics, at any moment , in rentals or historic homes all over town. Thanks to your Unions' efforts, taxpayers have been able to reduce the size of their Fire Department and minimize the number and frequency of City inspections allowing staff to work on even more grand developments. Mayorial sidechat Pssst. Know anything about electric streetcars?
nunya
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.
Closing Main St. for this special event that brings a bunch of people to town is no problem. Getting around using one of the other streets is no big deal and most of those businesses depend on foot traffic reaching them (at least I doubt they are relying on the few street parking spaces to fuel their business). I suppose everyone prefer that the streets be left open for Art Fair, or the car show, or the various running races, etc. In fact, I think Main St. should be closed every evening weekend. Nicer to patronize the sidewalk cafe/restaurants without inhaling exhaust fumes and safer too.
a2xarob
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
If I recall correctly, this Institute brings a good deal of money to our fair city. I see no reason why a block of Main St. shouldn't be traffic-free for an afternoon and evening to accommodate a party for our visitors. In fact, I see no reason why one or two blocks of Main St shouldn't be permanently closed to traffic to it make it a really nice pedestrian zone, as so many other cities have. With the handy parking and alleys and one-way streets that parallel this area, there's no reason not to. I don't understand why some people on this board constantly complain about every little thing. Will you really be this inconvenienced on this one day of the year? You really would be downtown needing to drive on Main St during this time?? I hope the working men and women in the Electrical Trade will enjoy and benefit from their time here. We welcome you!
whojix
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 3:03 p.m.
A special interests group making life slightly more difficult for everyone else. Very fitting event.
justcurious
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
O.K., this is the extreme side of ridiculousness. You shut the Main Street of a city for a private party? Pn a week day in the middle of the day no less. This is why people think that Ann Arbor does not live in the real world.
you can't handle the truth
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
Oh come on Johnny. Don't tell the sheep that there is a better way out of here! I enjoy getting out of here after work. Getting the heck out of this town and back to the real world as quickly as possible is a nice benefit!
Brad
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
You wouldn't "venture" on Main St. between 2 and 11 on a Wednesday? Something to do with that half a brain?
johnnya2
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
Any person with half a brain would never venture on to Main Street druing this time anyway. Division, Fifth. Ashley and First are all better options and faster. If you need to get to ANY of the businesses on Main Street there is access to parking all over the pplace including a garage off Fourth and William and the surface lot off Ashley. If that section of Main Street were closed forever, it would make no difference in commuting for anybody who uses their brain.
Brad
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
Even the Main street of our downtown is for rent. You pesky residents can just drive around it as long as someone downtown is making a buck.
DJBudSonic
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.
Anybody else see this as yet anther reason we need a downtown park or commons area we can use for events? Isn't one block of Main Street about the equivalent surface area of the Library Lot? How about the Kliens Lot? Or are we only "Connecting William Street" to the DDAs tax-skimmed bank account?
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
Why don't they hold their party on a side street?
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
Because that would be lame and boring.
SemperFi
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
Welcome to Ann Arbor NJATC! We're glad to have you here. While our state's leaders are anti-union, the city of Ann Arbor and the UM understand and support the benefit of having strong unions that support workers rights. Most folks don't know about the valuable service that unions provide in job training and mentorship of it's members. Keep up the good work!
Billy
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 11:45 a.m.
Is it irony that they're shutting down one block of main st. where all those ELECTRICAL STREET LIGHTS are rotting out from the inside? Ok it's probably a stretch to make that ironic...
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
The corrosion is a mechanical issue, not electrical. It's like blaming the tire company because your car is rusting.
LXIX
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 11:39 a.m.
...and over here folks is our live display of how NOT to install downtown street lighting.. Always use quality U.S.A. made products and never allow DDA members to direct your work. And don't allow your Locals to serve as advertising patsies for the greedy sponsors of fall football block parties on Main Street..
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 11:29 a.m.
So which state will this group be meeting in for next year's event thanks for Governor Snyder?
Buckybeaver
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:15 p.m.
They can always go to Detroit seeing how the unions ruined it. Actually they're running out of states to choose from
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 10:35 a.m.
Sounds like fun. Enjoy