After an absence of several years, a classic car display is coming back to the Village of Lake Orion. It’s being sponsored by the Main Street Promotions Committee.
Village council members OK’d the car show after a public hearing on April 25.
Originally, the committee asked for South Broadway to be closed from Front to Flint Streets. But based on a recommendation by LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh, vehicles will be parked on North Broadway from Flint to Shadbolt Streets.
Narsh was worried about possible safety problems.
‘This section of (South) Broadway channels large amounts of traffic in the evening rush hour that is turning east on Flint.
‘All of this traffic must be diverted to Front and Anderson which will cause traffic backups to the only entrance to fire station #1,? he said.
Plus, construction of the Sagebrush Cantina on South Broadway has started. ‘I envision street or lane closures to this section of Broadway as the east section of the building and facade are constructed,? Narsh said.
Active construction during a public event invokes public safety concerns.?
A disk jockey will be playing music during the car show. According to Narsh, any amplified music that is audible 50 feet from its source would be in violation of the village’s noise ordinance.
Disk jockey Sue Myers told council members she has no problems turning the music down if there are any complaints about the noise.
Downtown business owner Ron Kalso had a ‘mild? objection to having the car show on North Broadway. ‘The only non-successful car show was when it was between Shadbolt and Flint,? he said.
According to LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel, that year the show was run by inexperienced people (The Keep Coming Back Club).
‘And there was a lot of rainy Mondays. You can’t judge one year for success, she added.
Another business owner, Lloyd Coe, also wanted to keep the show on South Broadway. ‘It’s more visible from M-24 and draws traffic downtown,? he added.
‘I’ve seen it successful on both sides. You need to advertize, get the word out,? councilman Ken Van Portfliet said.
The car show runs every Monday night (started May 2) except holidays from 5-8 p.m. continuing through Oct. 10.