Butler City Council agreed Thursday to let Butler Downtown use the North Main Street parking lot on Fridays this summer for the Downtown Concert Series.

Council unanimously voted in favor of allowing the organization to reserve the lot each Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. from May 31 to Aug. 31.

Mayor Ben Smith abstained from the vote at Thursday’s meeting because his business is involved with Foodie Fridays, which is part of the concert series.

The vote came after Don Shearer, a Butler Downtown volunteer who is organizing the event, said he made arrangements to compensate First Lutheran Church for the use of electricity to power the stage and band equipment.

At council’s forum meeting Tuesday, Shearer said the stage would occupy eight parking spaces and block a lot exit for the duration of the series because it is too large to assemble Friday and disassemble by the following Monday each week.

He said the city would be compensated for the loss of revenue from those parking spaces.

In addition to band performances, the event would include bike nights, car cruises, themed events and Foodie Fridays.

“We just want to see the series come back,” Shearer said Tuesday.

The goal of the popular event, which used to be held at the New Castle Street Plaza, is to provide entertainment and benefit downtown businesses, he said.

“It was packed every Friday,” Jared Sullivan, Butler Downtown president, said after Thursday’s meeting.

Council’s approval was needed before the organization could begin raising money and finding sponsors for the event, said Matthew McCune, Butler Downtown vice president.

“We’re excited,” he said.

Sheared said the biggest expense for the event is the $5,000 cost of the portable restrooms, which would be dropped off Fridays and picked up Mondays.

He said 400 to 700 people attended the event when it was held at the New Castle Street Plaza.

While people were allowed to bring alcoholic beverages to the previous event, Shearer said that won’t be allowed this year. However, a vendor might be allowed to sell drinks.