MONTGOMERY, AL – As City leaders’ efforts to revitalize downtown have become more successful, they feel the time has come to plan for the continued expansion and growth of more residents, hotels, retail, entertainment venues, attractions, bars and restaurants. All of these efforts are to promote an increasing quality of place for residents and visitors alike and to create a successful business environment. The downtown entertainment ordinance, established in 2012, drew customers downtown and energized businesses invested in the area. As a result, the downtown district has flourished with growth of tourism and residential alike.
After a number of meetings in recent months with downtown business owners, residents, public safety leadership and the City Council to evaluate how best to accommodate continued growth throughout the downtown area, Mayor Todd Strange with concurrence of the Chief of Police and District 3 City Councilman Tracy Larkin announced the suspension effective Jan. 1, 2018, of the beverage policy associated with the downtown entertainment district ordinance which allows individuals to walk around public spaces with open containers of alcohol.
“This measure is an effort to do all we can to ensure a safe, wholesome environment for all Montgomery citizens, including the business community that has made significant investments in the downtown area,” Councilman Larkin said.
Restaurant and bar patrons will still be able to enjoy outdoor seating where available at venues that hold the proper liquor licenses. Patrons will not be allowed to leave those venues with an alcoholic beverage to walk around within the district after December 31, 2017. The change in policy will not affect the Cloverdale Entertainment Districts.
Next year holds many exciting opportunities for downtown residents and record numbers of visitors to enjoy and find special meaning in their time in Montgomery, including the highly anticipated openings of the Kress on Dexter renovation, the Equal Justice Initiative’s Memorial to Peace and Justice, and the opening of another excellent downtown hotel property, to name only a few. We have a great deal to look forward to with the continued evolution of one of our city’s great assets, the downtown Entertainment District.
All rights reserved, Gumptown Magazine. Copyright 2017.
