Members of the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved three requests during their meeting Monday evening.

John Montgomery from Cars & Coffee asked to have one block of Beerenbrook Street closed on each side of Jefferson Street the first Saturday of each month, May through September.  The street closure will be from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the car show starting at 7 each morning. The show is hosted at the restored Mobilgas Station at 1101 West Jefferson Street and all cars, trucks, bikes, boats, scooters, hovercraft, tractors, and more are welcome. 

Montgomery said this will be the 6th year for Cars & Coffee and they have been averaging 100 to 120 cars each month.  They have a Sheriff’s Reserve officer assist with traffic allowing vehicles to pass through and spectators to cross the street safely and see all the vehicles on display. 

The second request approved was for the Wythougan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Helen Johnson asked to have the veteran’s banners that were displayed last year in the downtown area and River Park Square put on the light poles during the months of May and June and again in October and November.

Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt suggested using the veterans’ banners as the city’s standard banners and then changing them out for the various seasons and events.  He said the current ones are outdated and getting worn.  Marquardt said there are 26 downtown light poles and several more in River Park Square that could be utilized.    

Last year’s banner program by the DAR was a huge success and many of the families that purchased the banners allowed the DAR to hold on to them so they could be used this year.  Johnson said they may have room to honor a few more veterans this year and anyone interested in obtaining a banner should contact her. 

Cheryl Ball, DAR Indiana State Historian said the DAR could assist with purchasing additional brackets to allow for more banners to be displayed throughout the city.  While it was suggested to use the historic light poles on North and South Michigan Streets, Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt said the poles couldn’t stand the stress and he only has one pole left in stock.  It was commented that another possible location might be in front of Centennial Park. 

The Board of Public Works and Safety approved the request.

The final request was to close North Michigan Street from LaPorte Street to Washington Street for the 9th Annual Arts in the Street event on Saturday, July 29th. 

While Michigan Street is a local street it is also State Road 17 so the city must give its approval and then the Heartland Artist will seek approval to close the street from INDOT. 

Anna Kietzman, President of the Heartland Artist Gallery said the event has grown each year and this year they already have 20 new artists that have asked to participate. She said they are also hosting a 3-day Plein Air event with approximately 24 artists from around the nation who will be painting in and around Marshall County.  Their work will be on display during the Arts in the Street event on July 29th and citizens and businesses interested in having their homes or businesses completed by an artist on canvas should contact the Heartland Artist Gallery. 

The City Board of Public Works and Safety approved the request to close Michigan Street for the Arts in the Street event on July 29th.