The Village of Ortonville seems to have a growing winter problem along the streets in the downtown area.
Each winter snow is pushed off the sidewalks and accumulates on the curb causing an obstacle for pedestrians and a headache for store owners.
The issue of what to do with the snow is not exclusive to Ortonville.
Consider the extremes both Holland and Traverse City officials have implemented to contend with snow in their downtown areas.
Several years ago both cities installed underground steam piping to heat sidewalks during winter months, thus melting snow and ice. The rather costly measure, say city officials, is aimed at keeping store owners happy by making the downtown area passable for pedestrians and shoppers.
Store owners in both downtown areas are battling growing suburban malls where customers can shop in comfort despite wintery conditions. The efforts seem to be working’both downtowns have sustained a reasonable level of commerce.
While the village of Ortonville lacks the luster and snowfall of both Holland and Traverse City, the issue of snow on the sidewalks is equally significant.
Village officials say its business owners? responsibility to keep their store fronts clear of ice and snow. Some village store owners say it’s impossible to clear the snow since the only place to shovel the snow is into the street or piled onto the curb. Either way a wintery obstacle for downtown shoppers is created.
It’s almost certain neither storeowners nor village officials want to deter customers or perpetuate an injury caused by massive snow curbs. While heated sidewalks may be a few years away for Ortonville, a compromise must be made.
Perhaps a community service project for students or a brigade of residents with snowblowers early in the morning is the answer. Perhaps there should be a designated keep-clear area in front of each business. The cold fact is it’s winter, and the community has to work together to deal with snow accumulations.
The downtown area of Ortonville is on the cusp of a Main Street designation’a program that will mandate the cooperation of the entire village’overcoming snow curbs would be a great start.