The Covid-19 pandemic appears to be causing planners for the annual Art Hop event Friday evening, Dec. 4, to scramble to keep it alive.
The situation is so critical that the Wayland City Council Monday voted not to allow the traditional closing off of the streets downtown to traffic.
Councilman Rick Mathis said, “I don’t see how we can approve road closures with the current pandemic… I don’t think we as a council can approve this, nased on the guidelines (for social distancing).”
Councilwoman Jennifer Antel added, “I don’t think we can draw circles on the ground and make people stand in inside the circles… And we can’t rope off the downtown.”
The Art Hop has been a downtown pre-Christmas celebration on the first Friday of December, encouraging residents people outside the community to come to the city to visit local businesses. The activity has included music and refreshments.
City Manager Josh Eggleston said, “You’re probably going to have more than 150 people (in the downtown during Art Hop.”
Teryl Shields, director of the Main Street program who works closely with the Downtown Development Authority, vowed to do everything possible to make Art Hop happen and be a positive experience, despite the obstacles.
“I think there are some things we can do virtually, but we have to work on it,” she said.
She said having a choir perform may not be a good idea because the virus is spread through the air. However, she suggested making a video of the tree lighting ceremony.
Councilman Tim Rose encouraged continuing to try to make Art Hop happen.
“We’ve got to keep some kind of hope going in the community,” he said. “I’d like to say we’re going to try to do this.”
Mathis countered, however, “As elected officials, we have to do the right thing and make the hard choices… This pandemic is controlling what we can and can’t do.”
The annual Wayland Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade also may be at risk at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, because of Covid-19
“Eggleston said, “I’m afraid the chamber may have to deal with the same issues as well.”
The vote was 6-1 against closing off the streets downtown, with Garcia casting the lone hopeful dissenting vote.
Mayor Tim Bala commented after the vote, “We all want it, but we all know the reasons why we can’t.”
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:
- Was told by Eggleston there is renewed interest in the purchase of a city-owned parcel along 133rd Avenue near Coldwater Concrete. It was agreed to list the site with a realtor rather than let it out for bids.
- Learned from City Treasurer Cherie Parish that the city’s audit has been conducted and “everything is looking good.”
