The City Commission will not to extend this year’s Nights of Lights event, maintaining the current schedule despite increasingly vocal protests from prominent local officials and merchants.
“The community relies on and trusts the City Commission to make a decision and stand by it, whether they agree with it or not,” spokesperson Melissa Wissel said in a statement.
Backers of a longer duration clamored for an emergency meeting – but Wissel said that won’t happen.
Some residents and businesses pushed for an extension, while others supported keeping the originally approved dates.
Merchants argued that business has been slow, and that an extension through January would enliven an otherwise sluggish commercial period.
Residents countered that the event negatively impacts locals with traffic and congestion for an inordinate period.
Wissel acknowledged both sides in the roiling debate, saying there was no magical municipal solution that would satisfy all parties.
“While we have received public pushback for not extending the dates for this season, we have also seen public support to keep the dates as they were approved,” she said. “We can’t please everyone and we know that. ”
The city noted that Nights of Lights is only halfway complete, with the two weeks of Christmas and New Year’s still remaining.
A comprehensive report will be provided to the City Commission after its conclusion.
“At that time, there will be an opportunity for additional public input, and we welcome the community’s feedback – whether it’s about our successes or inadequacies of this year,” Wissel said. “The City Commission will consider any changes to make for next year and we will take their direction moving forward.”
Wissel highlighted what has been widely hailed as a smoother start to this year’s illuminated extravaganza.
She reported that the new safety and crowd-management measures downtown—such as barricades, improved traffic control, and portable restrooms—are easing congestion and improving public safety.
