Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce is asking for the public’s input on where this year’s Williams Station Day festival will be held, according to a release.

Williams Station Day, a day where Atmore celebrates its namesake, has been celebrated on Pensacola Avenue for years.

According to a release, there was much discussion on the possibility of relocating WSD to downtown Atmore.

“The board of directors for the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes that no festival or event is isolated from impacting others in our community. From the efforts to coordinate the event to those who attend, we are all stakeholders in Williams Station Day and all community events. Additionally, regardless of location and/or event when planning a community outdoor festival there are many factors to be considered such as public safety, accessibility, the atmosphere and most importantly the people in your community.”

In a release, the chamber listed the challenges and benefits for having WSD on Pensacola Avenue and downtown.

The challenges and benefits for each location are listed below, according to the chamber:

Pensacola Avenue

CHALLENGES

• SAFETY: In the event of an emergency the current festival area proposes a multitude of issues from pedestrian congestion and safety to delayed response times due to road navigation. With limited to no access to the homes, core festival area, and the dramatic increase to number of people within the festival footprint; all aspects of public safety are an ongoing concern and highly compromised during this time.
• LAYOUT: Last years festival was at capacity with only two vendor spaces available. Though a wonderful challenge to have the only option moving forward would be to expand the festival footprint therefore further restricting access to streets and parking. This would result in reduced parking within protected roadways and increased necessity for pedestrian traffic across major roadways unable to be closed.

BENEFITS

• #DISCOVERATMORE: Showcasing historic Pensacola Avenue
• LOCATION: Shade and opportunity for leisurely enjoyment of multiple green spaces, Additionally, the proximity to ongoing sporting events lends itself to ease of access to the festival.
• TRADITION: With so many years in the same area there is a vast array of knowledge and almost instinctual coordination allowing for the smooth execution of the festival.

 

Downtown

CHALLENGES

• IMPACT TO BUSINESSES: Storefront parking within festival footprint would be closed effective 12pm on Friday, October 25th and remain closed through 6pm (at the earliest)on Saturday, October 26th.
• FESTIVAL VISITOR DECREASE: With the move to downtown the potential for loss of visitors due to decreased proximity of the festival to area sporting events and parks is an unknown factor and should be considered.
• CHANGE: With so many years of history all those who support, participate, and attend the festival have a level of familiarity with the current Williams StationDay. In a new location, there will be a significant focus and need for education and communication at all levels. Additionally, there will be a period of transition as issues with the new location are navigated. Though the Board of Directors will diligently plan for all foreseeable circumstances and logistics, there undoubtedly will be factors unknown and unable to be predicted prior to the event.

BENEFITS

• VENDOR SPACE: Increased vendor space is available within the proposed festival footprint
• #DISCOVERATMORE: Showcasing the Downtown Business Area of Atmore
• OPPORTUNITY: Increased visibility for business development and economic growth of our business community.
• PUBLIC SAFETY: By changing the location and layout the public safety concerns are almost void due to increased accessibility of the entire festival footprint and removal of widespread and multi-directional road closures.

The survey will be available until 5 p.m. on Fri., June 7.

To complete the survey, visit http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07egd3ny0djw865gtd/a01cgjwc8prkb/greeting.