Wausau City Council Discusses Street Closures for Block Parties

Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 -- 1:00 PM

The Wausau City Council will consider an ordinance that would allow businesses to close off streets for an outdoor block party.

Alder Lisa Rasmussen, chair of the Public health and safety Committee says the proposal came after businesses started to notice how people were gathering to listen to outdoor music in an area near Jefferson and 3rd.

"So, there was some concern that if cars can turn the corner, from Jefferson Street onto 3rd, there was concern about people being out there and maybe getting hit."

She says city staff felt there would be a way to create the outdoor space for businesses safely and reasonably.

"The street, where the event is taking place, would be allowed to be closed for a few hours and then reopened. And all of it is short in duration and none of it would run past 10pm."

She says the business block parties would not be allowed on main streets, and would be subject to the same regulations as residential block parties.

"To keep some controls on that activity though, so that it's not on major arterial streets or connecting highways. That it's on low traffic streets and that it doesn't exceed five hours in length."

She says the parties would be staff approved, meaning they could be scheduled within a few days, but she hopes anyone applying for one would give their neighbors enough lead time to prepare.

"But I think for commercial closures, my hope is that businesses that are interested in it would give them a week or so to vet what else is happening in the area."

If passed by the council next week the ordinance would take effect on a trial basis this summer. The committee would then gather feedback from residents on the proposal, and evaluate the ordinance for any tweaks in the fall.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.