Claire's Big Ideas: #2 - Close Maple Street Seasonally

Welcome to the second installment of Claire’s Big Ideas.  Here, we’re focusing on Summit’s business community.

Summit’s vibrant downtown attracts residents, businesses, and visitors.  I was privileged to serve as Treasurer of Summit Downtown Inc. for seven years, including during the pandemic.  Summit rose to the challenge to preserve its downtown.  I was part of the team that raised $750,000 in contributions to keep merchants throughout our city afloat and to help them reopen safely.  As part of that broader effort, we also worked with the city to close two blocks of Maple Street for outdoor dining and safe community gatherings.

That closure was wildly successful, bringing neighbors and friends together.  Beyond food and drink, we had live music, exercise classes, children’s activities, and fun of all sorts.  In two separate surveys, 70 percent of respondents wanted an annual, seasonal closure of Maple Street.  That hasn’t happened in the past two years, and downtown has suffered.  Business is down, foot traffic dies down, and downtown is quiet on weekend evenings–when it should be hopping.  

I’ve long advocated for an annual seasonal closure of Maple Street.  Click here to see more.