COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) – The Columbus City Council was full tonight. Many business owners and Columbus residents were there to hear about a proposed ordinance that would allow people to carry open drinks in public.
Council members discussed bringing the city’s first entertainment district uptown.
Traveling uptown could become even more exciting for some if city officials approve a proposal to turn parts of the area into entertainment districts where people can carry drinks in public. Currently, you cannot walk out of one store uptown with an open drink and enter another.
Police Chief Freddie Blackmon says he has spoken with law enforcement agencies in the surrounding area about the success of such attractions.
“I’ve been in touch with police chiefs in districts in very similar locations and they have very similar processes in place and it’s not been too difficult for them in Savannah. Probably here. But I think you’ll get similar results,” Chief Blackmon said.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilor Mimi Woodson introduced a resolution declaring the Highside Market, located on Second and 13th Avenues, to be the site of the city’s first entertainment district. Part of the resolution included a vote on whether to allow customers to carry open containers of alcohol.
City officials say they have met with various business owners who share different opinions about the project.
“A lot of the questions I heard at the 2 o’clock meeting last week were ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t know the district itself evolved. If not, how do we know how it will be enforced?” asked Columbus resident Molly Smith.
“Cities like Dunwoody, Conyers, Toccoa, Savannah, Atlanta, Marietta, Cartersville, Phoenix City and Opelika have demonstrated that this is possible and successful,” said Uptown Columbus business owner. says Garrett Lawrence.
But overall, at Monday’s council meeting, many business owners were in favor of the project.
Columbus business owner Niki Gedroic said, “I think the overwhelming majority of people go to cities to enjoy the red light district and discover that’s what they want to see uptown.
Project proposals are not immediately approved. City officials plan to review the matter again in a year.
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