Board approves street closures for three downtown festival dates and Game Changers Mayday

The Muncie City Board of Public Works and Safety on March 4 approved multiple street-closure requests to accommodate downtown events this spring through fall.

Organizers for the Game Changers Mayday car-and-bike show requested closures along Wiser Street (Walnut to Jefferson) and Malberry (Wiser to North) for the May event. The applicant, Leanne Barton of the Game Changers Writing Club, said the group will provide on-site security, and Chief Sloan provided a letter of approval; the board moved and carried the motion to approve the request.

Cheryl Crowder of the Downtown Development Partnership presented three additional closures: the Brink of Summer Arts Walk (June 4, Walnut Street between Charles and the roundabout, about 2 p.m.–8:30 p.m.), Fire Up Downtown (Aug. 1, multiple blocks to permit stage setup the day prior) and Arts Walk (Oct. 1, Walnut Street between Charles and the roundabout). The board approved each closure separately after staff confirmed logistics and police sign-off. Presenters noted large expected attendance for Fire Up Downtown — last year’s event was estimated at about 17,500 and organizers suggested aiming for roughly 20,000 this year (attendance estimates were offered by presenters and not recorded as an official budgeted projection).

Amanda Homequist, introduced at the meeting as the Downtown Development Partnership’s new executive director, attended with Crowder for the presentations.

Board members asked only routine logistical questions, and each motion was approved with the standard roll-call procedure. Staff will prepare and sign the permit documents following the meeting.