Milan Creates Loading Zone Outside Dance Studio After Accident

Milan City Council approved a new loading zone outside Dance Xplosion on May 19, eliminating parking and standing in front of the downtown dance studio. 

The change follows an accident earlier this year in which a driver struck a dancer near the studio. The student fully recovered.

The two spaces between 64 W. and 74 W.in front of the studio at 64 W. Main St. will now be reserved for drop-offs and pickups. Vehicles may stop briefly to unload passengers, but parking and standing are prohibited except for emergency vehicles.

Milan Police Chief Tillery said it’s still preferred that families park in the nearby West Main parking lot. When there are no spots available at the new drop-off zone, there is no waiting allowed along Main St. Instead, drivers much circle the block and return later or park elsewhere, Tillery said.

Enforcement of the new traffic control order became effective immediately upon approval of the ordinance.

Solutions

City members said the loading zone is only a first step as the city explores additional safety solutions. 

During the May 5 council meeting, York Township resident Jamie Vesper, whose kids attend the dance studio, asked the council to explore grant opportunities through Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) to make the area safer. She said more needed to be done to prevent future accidents, including looking at crosswalks, signage and lighting.

Councilmember Mary Kerkes said the council had been working with SEMCOG before the accident happened to explore grants and potential solutions.

Concerns

Heidi Wuerthele, owner of Dance XPlosion, submitted a letter to be read during public comment May 19, asking the city to delay a decision.

“I do have significant concerns regarding the proposal to create a loading zone directly in front of the studio for student drop-off and pick-up,” Wuerthele said in her letter, adding later, “I believe introducing additional moving vehicles into an already high pedestrian area may unintentionally increase safety risks.”

Wuerthele said Dance XPlosion serves more than 300 dance families with highest traffic hours between 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. She said classes rotate every 30-45 minutes, creating constant pedestrian traffic, including young children and middle and high school students crossing the street.

She said that in the 23 years Dance Xplosion has operated in downtown Milan, there has never been an injury involving a studio parent or driver associated with dropping off or picking up a student. This incident, she said, involved a Milan resident, not associated with the studio, driving eastbound when a high school dancer crossed into traffic without looking.

Wuerthele said that the much slower summer season is just starting and that would be an ideal time for her and the city to discuss possible solutions, several which she suggested.

Council response

Tillery said he did not believe the load zone would cause additional safety concerns. He said he spent two days watching traffic in the area and much of the problem is a need for parent and student education.

Councilmember Jesse Nie said while he welcomed a conversation with Wuerthele and additional solutions, he was not comfortable waiting to do something, especially given the years this has been a concern for the council.

“Look at it as a living document,” he said.

Councilmember Dave Snyder said there is a need to work with the studio on training.

“This is a problem that’s been discussed for a very long time,” Snyder said.

Other councilmembers agreed, voting unanimously to support the new order. They said they plan to work on solutions with Wuerthele during the slower summer season while exploring grant funding and additional safety improvements.