Don't ban responsible vendors

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Yard signs urging people to “save the vendors” began popping up on Melrose Avenue only a few days after Iowa City staff recommended that council members shut down commercial sales of everything from food to Hawkeye apparel at University of Iowa home football games.

Such vendors long have been a presence on game day. But increased activity in recent years is causing some friction among neighbors and safety concerns among some city staff - who recommended last week that City Council shut them down.

Banning vendors is too heavy-handed. They are an intrinsic part of the game-day experience for fans. Vending also provides significant economic opportunity for dozens of local entrepreneurs.

A fairer approach would be to regulate commercial activity on Melrose Avenue by creating a special temporary-use permit for Hawkeye games with requirements that respect both the vendor tradition and property owners' rights.

Last week, a staff committee representing public safety, legal, housing inspection departments and the city manager's office recommended that councilors enforce the current zoning limitations and disallow vendors and booths along Melrose Avenue.

They've been reviewing the issue after several incidents brought concerns to City Council's attention last year. They concluded that a ban would best protect the neighborhood's livability and be the easiest option to enforce.

Melrose is a residential neighborhood, not zoned or intended to support commercial activity. Property owners in the neighborhood complain of the trash and nuisances, and say commercialization of Melrose Avenue is destructive to the neighborhood's character.

But game-day, temporary-use permits could address many of those concerns by requiring vendors to clean up after their customers, and prohibit them from blocking sidewalks or right-of-ways. The city could require vendors to carry insurance, take fire-safety precautions, limit them to specific areas on Melrose and prohibit the sale of alcohol. Vendors who don't comply could lose their permit. Any enforcement costs could be covered by user fees.

Some worry a game-day permit would open the door to temporary commercial uses in other neighborhoods. But Melrose Avenue is clearly a unique case. Responsible vendors should be allowed.

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