HOUGHTON - Houghton will host a snowboard contest on Huron Street next month.
The city council approved a proposal from the owners of Rhythm for the event, which will take place on Jan. 17. It will start that morning and go until about 4 p.m., said Rhythm co-owner Joe Schwenk.
Schwenk said entrants would have to sign a waiver beforehand.
"It's not going to be a free-for-all," he said.
Schwenk said he was talking with representatives from snowboard companies abut the event.
"We may be able to get some professional snowboarders up here," he said.
The street will be closed to traffic that Friday through Sunday, with a Department of Public Works crew coming in Monday morning to clear away the snow.
Schwenk said the street would be bounded with snow fences to preserve access to sidewalks on either side of Huron Street.
Council members praised the idea.
"You can keep the downtown alive by being creative," said Mayor Pro Tem Robert Megowen. "That's a great idea."
The council also approved a design for bike racks for the M-26 corridor. City Manager Scott MacInnes said the design came out of work done by the city's bike committee.
Each rack can hold two bikes, said Councilman Craig Kurtz. MacInnes said the racks may also be added to downtown following the streetscape project. The racks would be stationed on bumpouts near intersections.
"By Rhythm, you might put three or four, because there's a lot of kids in the area," MacInnes said.
In addition, MacInnes said, Tech students on the committee also came up with signage for the city and a Web site for a recent event.
"People are doing a great job on this committee," MacInnes said. "It's been a fun committee to be a part of."
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.
