Mount Vernon council to vote on street‑closure request for neighborhood Wakanda celebration after resident split
Summary
Councilmembers debated whether to permit a block‑level Wakanda celebration after residents and adjacent neighbors expressed conflicting views. Organizers said they plan for 400–450 attendees; council scheduled the item for a Wednesday vote after noting parking and safety concerns and presenting alternatives including school or park venues.
City council members debated an ordinance request to authorize a street closure for a neighborhood Wakanda celebration after residents and neighbors provided conflicting feedback during a work session.
The agenda item listed Rose Longiza as the applicant for the Wakanda celebration scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Council members said organizers are insisting on hosting the event on a residential block and that they expect 400 to 450 attendees. The council noted petitions both in favor and opposed from neighbors and said the block’s backyards are not large enough to safely host that number.
Council members and staff discussed alternatives such as Hartley Park, Rush Park or school facilities; staff said last year the event was moved to a school at a cost of $5,000 and that organizers declined that option this year. One councilmember said using the public street without appropriate permits risks the event being shut down.
The council decided to place the item on the Wednesday agenda for a formal vote and invited organizers to attend that meeting. No permit or vote was recorded at the work session.
Council members said they will consider public‑safety issues such as parking overflow and access for residents when the item is heard.
