JAMMIN’ IN THE JUNCTION
Car show to showcase downtown improvements; COVID safety measures in place
The annual Jammin’ at the Junction car show takes place Saturday in an event designed to showcase local business development, business opportunities and ongoing improvements in downtown Roseville.
Now in its fifth year, Jammin’ at the Junction will include numerous measures aimed at protecting attendees from the COVID-19 crisis, including hand sanitizing stations, free face masks, and social distancing practices.
“It’s a good way for the community to get back together, have a little normalcy and move forward,” said Eric Lafata, vice chair of the city’s Downtown Development Authority. “The biggest thing is we’re going to take steps to make sure it’s a super safe event for everyone.”
Utica Road between Gratiot Avenue and 12 Mile Road, the officially designated downtown segment of the city, will be closed for the event, which
takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. That area was once known as the Utica Junction, hence the festival’s title.
Highlights include a car show with classic vehicles, outdoor sales at various businesses, vendors, andmusic, including a live performance by the band Rush Hour Jam.
Over at Gonzo Art Studio, owner Edward Stross plans to create an “outdoor art studio” that will include various art supplies for kids to explore their inner artist.
Mother Nature is on board with the event. The National Weather Service’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 79 degrees.
Lafata, 37, the owner of Lafata Auto Body and Lafata CustomPaint & Collision, said the Utica Junction area is in the midst of a 5-year, $1.2 million plan to enhance the Utica corridor and potentially attract new businesses. The downtown district currently is a hodgepodge of auto-related services, along with a handful of artistic and restaurant
facilities.
“The city is working to install a streetscape with some lights and landscaping, more greenspace with trees and grass,” he said. “It’s a slow process, but we’re making steady progress.”
Other enhancements include an $800,000 water main improvement project, new sidewalks, bike lanes, ornamental lighting, kiosks, and on-street parking, according to CityManager Scott Adkins.
Therewas a plan to build a pavilion on the block to serve as a public gathering space for concerts, farmers markets and car shows, but that proved too cost prohibitive, the manager said. Officials are studying alternative plans.
Meanwhile, Adkins said work is underway to also dress up Utica Road east of Gratiot using grant funds. He said the program includes reconstruction of a portion of the road from Martin to Gratiot to accommodate an anticipated re-use of the closed Sacred Heart Church building, and will include decorative street lighting and onstreet parking.
“You’re going to see a whole new gateway on Utica offMartin all the way up to 12 Mile,” Adkins said.
In addition, the city is working with a number of developers and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on a “significant development” in the area, Adkins said. He said news of the project may be revealed in the coming months.