WARSAW — A St. Patrick’s Day celebration downtown Warsaw will occur following an approval this morning, Feb. 19, at the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting. The approval was for the closing of Buffalo Street, between Center and Main streets; and the alley between Buffalo and Indiana streets, for the celebration.

Jason Brown, owner of 110 Craft Meatery, presented the request. Now in its second year of business, Brown stated he felt it was an obligation to get downtown foot traffic. He and Josh Fricke are working with a handful of vendors — B-Macs, Mad Anthony, Oak & Alley, Three Crowns Coffee, Latta Lounge and potentially others — to bring this event to the city.

The closure of Buffalo Street, from 11 a.m. until midnight, will enable a large tent to be erected and dismantled in front of 110 Craft Meatery. The event will be from 7-11 p.m.

Brown stated there will be a designated area for those over the age of 21, as alcohol will be available, as well as areas for families. “This will not be a heavily alcohol event,” Brown stated. “The purpose is we want people to come to the downtown.” He further stated “food increases business … a way to get people to feel they can come downtown. It will benefit all businesses with the foot traffic.”

With the approval further planning will take place including the possibly arranging for music to be provided by James and the Drifters, a local band, obtaining the appropriate alcohol permit and finalizing the menu.

Mayor Joe Thallemer stated he had no issues and loved the idea. “It’s a great idea and what we are looking for downtown.” Brown echoed the mayor’s enthusiasm stating the evening will be a lot of fun and “ideally we would like to have it as an annual thing.”

Thallemer had several questions including if merchants along Buffalo had issues with the street closure and if there is music to be sensitive to the acoustics for the downtown residents. It was noted all merchants are on board with the event, and before a contract is signed with a band, the details will be reviewed with the mayor. An effort to get the WCDC involved to help with promoting the event will be made.

During other business:

• Approved the signing of the annual service agreement with TickeTrak Software license and customer support for parking control with Cardinal Tracking Inc. The cost is $1,942 annual.
• Approved a contract with Warsaw Community Schools for the rental of Lakeview Middle School auditorium as a rain location for the Friday evening Central Park concert Series. The cost is $400 per use. The fee is paid only if used. Sheila Wieringa, recreation director, reported the auditorium was only used once last year.
• Numerous travel request were approved for workshops, conferences, certification programs, and training.

It was noted the downtown parking groups will be reorganized and put back into service to look into downtown residential parking solutions.