Street Closed

After work today I came upon this barricade across the main street of our town. No one is sure why it's in place; but roomers abound. Even the local paper didn't mention the closure of the town's main business district.
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The businesses on each side of the street are open but, with no-where to park and foot traffic all but blocked off, they are suffering without explanation. I would think that if it's something serious or dangerous the city would have evacuated the nearby buildings.