Downtown Northville may become an even more popular entertainment venue as members of the city council agreed to expand the social district.
In addition, council members agreed to provide letters of support for efforts of six local establishments seeking special state licensing to sell alcoholic beverages that can be consumed in the social district.
If approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, the expanded social district would extend west along Main Street to the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar, south of Main on the east side of Wing Street to Cady, east on Cady to Center, and north from Cady to Main - essentially enclosing the block that contains Northville Square and MainCentre.
Council members revised a map presented by Downtown Development Authority Director Lori Ward, which initially showed the social district extending along Wing Street past the Garage restaurant/bar to Dunlap, and including the northwest corner of Dunlap and Center, home to the American Legion Hall, a tax-exempt organization. Council members removed those sections of the proposed expansion, heeding concerns of residents who spoke against having the social district abutting residential neighborhoods.
Restaurants/bars eligible to apply for an additional liquor license as part of an expanded social district include the Garage, Lava Grille of Northville, Northville Sports Den, Tirami Su, Great White Buffalo Brewing Co. and Fraternal Order of Eagles.
The motion allows drinks in cups featuring “The Twist” logo, purchased from participating businesses, to be consumed on the sidewalks along those newly added streets as well as in the original social district. No additional street closures were included in the district expansion.
