March 13, 2020 – Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Midland has issued several service changes in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16 through Sunday, April 5. All room rentals will be cancelled during this time period and all Library programs and activities will be cancelled through April 30.
Patrons can continue to renew items as normal and should return due items by using the Library’s returned books slot on the outside of the building.
During its closure, the Library will offer curbside book pick-up for patrons who wish to access physical Library materials. Patrons can “place orders” for materials by calling the Reference Desk at 989-837-3449 or reserving the materials online via the online catalog at www.gadml.org, then pick up their books by pulling up to the Library and calling the Reference Desk. Curbside service will be available Monday through Friday through April 5 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Library will be open during its regular hours Friday, March 13 until 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Residents can access many of the Library’s services online during the closure at www.gadml.org. The Library will remain staffed while closed to the public, so patrons can contact the Library via phone 989-837-3430, via email at askgadml@gmail.com, or via text message to the Library’s text line at 989-750-0060.
Midland Community Television (MCTV)
Due to its location within the lower level of the Library, Midland Community Television (MCTV) will also be closed to the public during this time. Access users should contact MCTV via phone at 989-837-3474 to reschedule studio shows or for additional information.
Midland Civic Arena
The Midland Civic Arena will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16 through Sunday, April 5. All programs and activities scheduled at the arena during this time will be cancelled. The arena will be open during its regular business hours today, March 13 until 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 14 from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The facility will be staffed during the closure, so residents may contact the arena via phone at 989-837-5780 or via email at arena@midland-mi.org. For more information, visit www.midlandcivicarena.com.
Downtown Midland “Meet Your Merchants Pie Day” Event
The Midland Downtown Business Association has elected to modify activities for its upcoming Meet Your Merchants Pie Day event on Saturday, March 14.
At this time, the event will still proceed as scheduled from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; however, merchants will not offer free pie samples to the public as previously planned. For more information, please visit www.downtownmidland.com or contact the Downtown Development Authority at 989-837-3330.
Senior Housing Restrictions
At this time, both Washington Woods and Riverside Place senior apartments are restricted to essential care visitors only.
Midland Fire Department
The Midland Fire Department has suspended all station tours, fire prevention education programs, and non-emergency services until further notice. Visitors outside of Fire Department personnel’s immediate families will not be permitted at the City’s three fire stations. Emergency response will be provided as normal.
Building Department
At this time, rental certification inspections have been suspended through Monday, April 6. Affected property owners will be contacted by City Building Department staff to reschedule any pending inspections.
Other City Services
At this time, all other City services and programs not listed above will operate as normal. Public meetings of the Midland City Council and City boards, commissions, and committees will be evaluated on a meeting-by-meeting basis to assess their need to meet and take action on matters of significant importance. Meetings that do not have critical business to conduct may be cancelled and non-critical items that may draw large crowds for public input may be postponed.
Residents are encouraged to practice social distancing guidelines as outlined by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and to conduct non-essential business via phone or email over the next several weeks. Many City services are accessible online at www.cityofmidlandmi.gov.
The City will continue to monitor public health information regarding COVID-19 and will reassess and alter its response as needed.
For the latest updates and information regarding the statewide response to COVID-19, please visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.
