Street Fight in Northville with Attorney Kyle Konwinski

Katie brings land-use litigator Kyle Konwinski onto STR Law to unpack the blockbuster lawsuit that forced the City of Northville, Michigan, to reopen its two main downtown streets—just in time for local businesses to survive the summer. Spoiler: Kyle’s clients won.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How COVID-era “temporary” street closures morphed into a permanent May-through-November shutdown that gutted weekday foot traffic and slashed some store revenues by 75 percent.

• Why Kyle organized 700+ owners and residents into a nonprofit, “Let’s Open Northville,” to pool funds and gain standing for injunctive relief instead of damages.

• The legal playbook:

  • Platted-street rights—owners in a recorded plat hold a private, perpetual right to vehicular access.

  • Takings and ADA claims that amplified pressure on the city.

• Trial highlights: historian testimony proving the 1840 plat, before-and-after revenue data, and the election of pro-reopening councilmember Laura Genitti.

• Key takeaway for STR hosts and investors: when a municipality overreaches—whether it’s a street closure or an STR ban—banding together through a nonprofit can level the field and produce real wins.

  
  

  Kyle Konwinski, Partner at Varnum LLP
  P 616/336-6894

  [e-mail]

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