By ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — A safe and happy New Year’s celebration in Marquette opens up opportunities to modify rules in future years.

Concerns popped up about an alcohol-centric holiday like New Year’s being celebrated on West Washington Street until 1 a.m. when Marquette’s social district ends at 10 p.m.

Fortunately, the majority of residents were able to safely enjoy their New Year’s Eve in compliance with established laws.

“It went really, really well,” said Marquette Police Department Capt. James Finkbeiner. “The organizers did a good job keeping people engaged, but it was the typical things on New Year’s…. We did have a couple of drunk drivers, but our officers responded to those calls just like we usually do.”

Approximately six officers were stationed in the downtown area for the safety of the public. Even with a crowd of over 1,000 gathered on Washington, no excessive trouble was reported out of the ordinary.

“There’s a lot more people than there is us, of course, and that’s why we try to work real close with the restaurants and bars … in the area and the organizers of the event themselves, the (Downtown Development Authority),” Finkbeiner said.

DDA business outreach and promotions director Michael Bradford similarly said the event was successful.

“This was an event that we didn’t, at the time, want to extend beyond the original ruling,” Bradford said. “It’s still very young. There’s still other events we want to see it engage with before we make changes.”

After the DDA has a successful year under their belt, extending hours or making other changes to the social district would become a possibility in collaboration with the city commission.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506.

Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.