City commissioners gave their blessing to a major party downtown next week that will close a portion of New Hampshire Street.

Commissioners at their Tuesday evening meeting unanimously approved the necessary permits for Lawrence Live, an outdoor music concert and expo June 13 designed to welcome participants of the Ironman 70.3 triathlon that will take place in the area that weekend.

Commissioners also agreed to donate about $5,000 in city services – such as police, fire and public works assistance – for the triathlon and related events.

The Lawrence Live event will close portions of New Hampshire Street in the 900 block to through traffic from about 11 a.m. to midnight June 13 to accommodate a stage for the band Poi Dog Pondering and other acts. The concert is free and open to the public.

Commissioners also approved the necessary permits for the organizers to sell alcohol as part of the event. Commissioners did receive one letter of concern from downtown property owner John Frick, who said a recent concert by Wilco in the same area produced litter and other problems for his building on Ninth Street.