Town Council debates pros and cons of closing Elk Avenue

Squeaky wheel getting the grease?

Is Elk Avenue being closed too often for special events? That appears an almost regular discussion at the Crested Butte Town Council meetings of late. The town representatives hear complaints when Elk is closed for Big Air on Elk in the winter. They hear complaints when the town’s main thoroughfare is closed for summer events like the Arts Festival, the People’s Fair or last week’s Ride the Rockies event. Does closing Elk help or hinder business?

“Maybe it’s time we do more than listen and act on the idea that we are closing Elk down too much,” commented councilperson Reed Betz.
The latest discussion came as part of the approval for the special event permit for the Arts Festival at the Monday, June 20 council meeting.
“We hear concerns from local business owners when Elk is closed and especially if things like a beer garden is set up,” mayor pro tem Dan Escalante told Arts Festival director Diana Ralston. “Is there an opportunity for local vendors to be more a part of something like that by perhaps sponsoring the beer garden? And have you addressed the concerns of businesses who feel the tents block their business?”
Ralston explained that the current beer sponsor pays the festival to be the official beer sponsor. “It started as an amenity,” she explained. “I think last year we made less than $3,000 so it was more a convenience for patrons as opposed to a money maker.”
But some local business people, particularly those with businesses located near Third and Elk, have voiced repeated opposition to closing the town’s main thoroughfare. They cite the inability of people to park near the heart of the business district and the distractions associated with people looking to spend money in their establishments.
“It appears there will be larger gaps between the tents at this year’s festival to give more exposure to local businesses,” said councilperson John Wirsing. “That’s good.”
“We have a huge opening planned in front of the Brick Oven deck since we’ve heard it from them the loudest,” said Ralston. “Based on your comments and comments we’ve received from the businesses, we have about ten fewer tents this year but they’ll be spread out a lot longer on Elk Avenue. It will start almost by Retail Therapy this year.”
“Can you move it up more to the other end of Elk?” asked Wirsing.
“We can consider anything,” responded Ralston. “I have a large model of Elk and the tents we are playing with at my office. Please come by and look at it and offer suggestions.”
“Who’s more high-maintenance right now, the Town Council or the artists?” asked councilperson Reed Betz.
“It’s a toss-up right now,” admitted Ralston.
“I’m with John,” Betz said. “I like that you’re using all of Elk. But maybe in the future you skip the entire block between Second and Third so people have to walk by those businesses.”
“It’s my fifth year as the director and we’ve changed it every year,” said Ralston.
“We understand it’s a delicate balancing act but we’re a reflection of what we hear,” said Escalante.
“And I keep hearing that during one of the busiest weekends of the summer some front and center businesses do less business,” said Wirsing. “I don’t know what to tell them.”
The council approved the special events permit for the Arts Festival.
“I love the Arts Fair and it certainly brings a lot of people to town,” said Schmidt. “But maybe next year you restrict the food and beer vendors. I saw a pizza oven at the Farmers Market and don’t remember too many farmers in the Midwest baking pizzas. I just want to protect the local businesses.”
Later in the council meeting, Betz again touched on Elk Avenue closures. “I heard a lot of the businesses were disappointed with the street being closed for Ride the Rockies. Elk is getting closed more and more often and maybe it’s time to stop allowing that. Maybe we don’t close it at every request.”
Town clerk Eileen Hughes told Betz the staff was preparing to form a “stakeholders group” that could help guide special use permits, including requests for closing Elk.
“It just seems that too much of the street was closed this time,” Betz said.
“Let’s remember that Ride the Rockies was June 10, and if it was June 10 a year ago, no one would have even been here yet,” said councilperson Roland Mason.
“All the businesses I think were thankful the group was here but they voiced concerns about the closure. It’s something we are hearing more and more of,” said Betz.
The council took no definitive action toward an Elk Avenue closure policy but this likely won’t be the last time the subject is discussed.