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LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City Council heard from an area business owner and a resident requesting discussions be had regarding its recent decision to close a portion of Grove Street.
Mary Jo Johnson, owner of Johnson's Beauty -- at 215 Grove St., Lock Haven -- attended Monday's council meeting.
"I operate a hair salon on the first floor (of my business) and I have two rental units on the second floor," she said.
Johnson said her tenants, one of which attended the meeting, did not want to go through another summer of street closures and weekend concerts.
Earlier, council approved a portion of the street being closed each Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2024. The request was made by Shaun Dale, owner of The Old Corner, who'd made a similar request in 2023.
"They (tenants) stated that they did not want to go through this another summer," Johnson said.
Johnson said her tenants are unable to relax, sleep or have friends over when the concerts are taking place.
Johnson further noted she has disabled clients that come to her salon, and the closure and limited parking can sometimes cause issues as well.
"We do understand his reasoning for the events. We're not asking that you close them down but perhaps there could be a compromise," Johnson said.
She suggested the bandshell be moved from its current location toward Church Street so it isn't under her tenants windows; an earlier start time or not having concerts each weekend.
One of Johnson's tenants, Richard Herman, agreed with her sentiments, adding that he wasn't aware council was going to consider the closures again this year.
"I don't know, maybe there's a compromise," he said.
Dale told The Express on Tuesday morning he intended to come to Monday's meeting but was unable to due to a scheduling conflict. He noted he is willing to meet with and talk over these issues and suggestions with those who make them.
"I'm always open for discussion," Dale said. "The people I talked to had no issues in that area. You can't satisfy every single tenant but I'm always willing to listen."
On Monday night, Councilmember Jeff Brinker suggested council consider bringing the issue back to the table for further discussion.
"In light of people coming forward, is there a way that we can revisit what we had passed or have a modification that the public is asking for," he asked.
Mayor Joel Long said a council member who voted yes for the closure would have to make a motion to bring it back for a future meeting.
That motion never came on Monday night.
Council member Barb Masorit suggested a conversation be coordinated between those who have issues with the closure and Dale be planned.
"I agree that a conversation could perhaps potentially solve this problem. It's just a matter of who facilitates that conversation," Masorti said.
Multiple members of council suggested Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. coordinate the conversation.
"What I'm hearing is a difference in opinion between certain business owners in the city whose interest doesn't align with other business owners," Council member Richard Morris said. "Isn't that why we have a downtown (organization) and wouldn't that be the area to hash those issues out?"
Council member Doug Byerly agreed with Morris's assessment.
Long asked Council member Steve Stevenson -- who serves as a liaison with the non-profit -- to bring the issue to its board before council proceeds any further.
All members of council were present for Monday's meeting held in council chambers at City Hall, 20 E. Church St., Lock Haven.