MORGANTOWN — Portions of High Street could be limited to foot traffic on Friday and Saturday nights thanks to an arrangement between the City of Morgantown and the West Virginia Division of Highways.
“With this new agreement, the city can close High Street anywhere between Willey Street and Foundry Street for events. The city would give notice to the WVDOH, but we no longer need approval,” Morgantown Communications Director Andrew Stacy said. “This agreement allows the city to hold regular events downtown and also expand existing annual events such as the Kids Day, Chocolate Lovers Day, Arts Walks, etc.”
Asked if the agreement would allow the city to close High Street during Friday and Saturday nights, Stacy said that is one of many options being discussed.
“This agreement would allow the city to do that. City administration and staff are always looking at new ways to enhance the downtown atmosphere,” he said.
The agreement is particularly relevant in light of a pair of ordinances — one recently passed by city council and one currently before the body.
In December, Morgantown City Council passed a number of changes to the city’s traffic code, including Article 311, which gives the city manager’s office discretion to issue and revoke permits for the temporary use of public rights-of-way. The change replaced Article 315, which dealt specifically with parades.
The special event permit may waive laws governing the use of rights-of-way, including the prohibition on use or sale of alcohol, among other things.
Further, on Feb. 5, council passed a first reading of an ordinance that will create new guidelines pertaining to outdoor dining.
If adopted, it will create three levels of outdoor dining permits — sidewalk dining, street dining and outdoor dining — in line with changes adopted by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration.
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