Battle Creek is the latest Michigan city to welcome food trucks to its downtown.
The city commission voted last night to lift a longtime ban on food trucks. Starting later this month, the city will start handing out permits to up to seven food truck vendors to set up shop in a specific zone in downtown Battle Creek.
Supporters say food trucks will add much-needed vitality and variety to Battle Creek’s downtown.
Downtown business owners are not happy. They fear the food trucks will hurt struggling downtown restaurants.
Battle Creek Mayor Dave Walters is willing to give the food trucks a chance.
“If someone jumps through all the proper hoops … be it the Health Department, city ordinances, fee and bond schedules … how do we limit someone from at least attempting this and trying it,” says Walters.
Walters says if the food trucks are a problem, the city commission can let the ordinance approved Tuesday expire next year. He says the city will closely watch how the food trucks operate and how they affect other downtown businesses.
