Uptown Set to “Relax” Drinking Laws (Columbus, Savannah: sales, apartments)

[Columbus1984]

Uptown Columbus has been working with the city to relax the drinking laws. The organization wants to create an open container district within Uptown’s footprint.

Uptown Columbus believes that relaxing the drinking laws will:

1) Add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of Uptown for businesses, residents, and visitors.

2) Create an atmosphere that is a positive-sum for Uptown merchants. Other cities' merchants have experienced increased sales as a result.

3) Serve as a recruitment tool for new restaurants & businesses, as well as visitors.

4) Model the same success seen in other communities like Opelika, Dalton, Duluth, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna & Decatur that have passed similar ordinances.

This is a fantastic idea that I support completely. This would definitely add to the vibrancy of downtown and continue to make our downtown a better and more inviting place.

[columbusboy8]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Uptown Columbus has been working with the city to relax the drinking laws. The organization wants to create an open container district within Uptown’s footprint.

Uptown Columbus believes that relaxing the drinking laws will:

1) Add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of Uptown for businesses, residents, and visitors.

2) Create an atmosphere that is a positive-sum for Uptown merchants. Other cities' merchants have experienced increased sales as a result.

3) Serve as a recruitment tool for new restaurants & businesses, as well as visitors.

4) Model the same success seen in other communities like Opelika, Dalton, Duluth, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna & Decatur that have passed similar ordinances.

This is a fantastic idea that I support completely. This would definitely add to the vibrancy of downtown and continue to make our downtown a better and more inviting place.

This makes sense to me and is certainly worth implementing. If problems occur, it can always be reversed.

[amyers3]

I think the THOUGHT is a good idea, but it gets a bit messy and there is the same amount of confusion when you start requiring Uptown Columbus-provided stickers AND you can't bring drinks in businesses that don't offer alcohol. I'm all for it, but it's purpose is built around the 'confusion' between when you can and can't have open container. Also, aren't the blocks normally closed during these times (e.g. no cars moving in and out)

[columbusboy8]

Originally Posted by amyers3

I think the THOUGHT is a good idea, but it gets a bit messy and there is the same amount of confusion when you start requiring Uptown Columbus-provided stickers AND you can't bring drinks in businesses that don't offer alcohol. I'm all for it, but it's purpose is built around the 'confusion' between when you can and can't have open container. Also, aren't the blocks normally closed during these times (e.g. no cars moving in and out)

All good points to ponder! And I'm for it, but what I'm hearing is not to be too hasty without carefully considering the pros and cons, and thinking about the possible unintended consequences.

[Fountain-of-youth]

The proposed area would be restricted to:

▪ Broadway from Ninth Street to 14th Street.

▪ First Avenue from 12th Street to 10th Street.

▪ Front Avenue from 10th Street to 14th Street.

▪ Bay Avenue from 12th Street to 10th Street.

▪ 12th Street from Second Avenue to Bay Avenue.

▪ 10th Street from Second Avenue to Bay Avenue.

Here are the highlights of the proposed ordinance:

▪ The beverages would have to be in a shatterproof cup no larger than 16 ounces. Each cup would be required to have a sticker on it, provided by Uptown Columbus Inc. and placed there by the establishment that sold the beverage.

▪ No alcoholic beverages purchased outside of the entertainment district shall be allowed in open containers in the entertainment district.

▪ Alcohol purchased from package stores or growler stores that have an off-premise license are not allowed in open containers in the entertainment district.

▪ Residents of downtown loft apartments and condominiums and the Columbus Historic District would not be permitted to bring alcohol from their homes in open containers in the entertainment district.

▪ Only one drink per person at a time could be purchased and carried out of a restaurant or bar.

▪ It does not include the Chattahoochee Riverwalk or riverfront.

▪ Consuming alcohol in a vehicle is not permitted.

▪ An open container can not be carried into an establishment that does not serve alcohol. An example that was used: someone could not have an open container, walk out of a restaurant and then take that beverage into a retail store in the entertainment district.

Columbus Councilor Mimi Woodson, whose district includes downtown and the proposed district, attended the meeting, as did a number of city department heads.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by amyers3

I think the THOUGHT is a good idea, but it gets a bit messy and there is the same amount of confusion when you start requiring Uptown Columbus-provided stickers AND you can't bring drinks in businesses that don't offer alcohol. I'm all for it, but it's purpose is built around the 'confusion' between when you can and can't have open container. Also, aren't the blocks normally closed during these times (e.g. no cars moving in and out)

Yes, the thought is good. But some of the restrictions stink.

▪ The beverages would have to be in a shatterproof cup no larger than 16 ounces. Each cup would be required to have a sticker on it, provided by Uptown Columbus Inc. and placed there by the establishment that sold the beverage.

▪ No alcoholic beverages purchased outside of the entertainment district shall be allowed in open containers in the entertainment district.

▪ Alcohol purchased from package stores or growler stores that have an off-premise license are not allowed in open containers in the entertainment district.

▪ Residents of downtown loft apartments and condominiums and the Columbus Historic District would not be permitted to bring alcohol from their homes in open containers in the entertainment district.

▪ It does not include the Chattahoochee Riverwalk or riverfront.

[Ethan Sanders]

Do we really need to promote alcohol consumption any more than it already is for the sake of dollar?
The city is eaten up with booze,drugs etc.
I have spoken to numerous local eatery owners from 70-90's that said their profits were well above average without sunday sales etc.(chic fil a is a great example)
They are just creating new problems for local taxpayers to deal with while they stuff the money in their pockets and whistle down the road.
I guess their next project with be free non alcoholic beer for weekly promoted "teen nights" which will be a great gateway drink for their future customers.
Not good.

[JayHey]

Haha, that's a great piece of satire, Ethan. Thanks for the chuckles.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by JayHey

Haha, that's a great piece of satire, Ethan. Thanks for the chuckles.

Haha. It’s always a good laugh when he emerges from underneath that rock after a six-month hibernation.

[Ethan Sanders]

Sadly the laughs are you guys you just don't have enough sense to know it.
Comments like these let folks in other parts of the country know what it is really like in Columbus.
Thanks for your input and support..it helps my cause.

Check 84's under a rock comments he has made over the years....might break a national record.
He agrees with anyone who follows his follies...lol