.jpg)
COLUMBUS — The City Council heard concerns for safety regarding a request for an extra street closure than usual for the Magnolia Days Festival in May. Despite sharing those concerns with the presenters, the Council moved to deny the request along with other actions at the March 11 regular meeting.
The Chamber of Commerce explained their request for an extra street closure was based in their concerns for the safety of attendees. They proposed that the city close Milam Street from Spring Street to Walnut Street from Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. through Sunday, May 19 at 8 a.m. in addition to the closures already regularly scheduled on an annual basis.
The Council heard the Chamber’s concerns, followed by Columbus Police Department Chief Milton “Skip” Edman expressing his concerns about the proposed closure. Edman’s concerns were with the amount of manpower already required to commit an undertaking as large as the yearly event. He also expressed concern over the parking situation, citing that closing the road and making attendees park further away would cause them to have to walk further, still endangering them by having to cross more roadways.
