Council introduces ordinance to pilot downtown 'entertainment zone' allowing on-street beverage consumption during events

The City Council introduced an ordinance April 13 to create a downtown entertainment zone that would allow participating, licensed businesses to sell alcoholic beverages in branded, non-glass containers for consumption within a defined zone during approved special events.

Luis Gonzalez, economic development project manager, framed the pilot as a limited activation under state law (SB 969) designed to connect festival events to downtown restaurants and businesses. The proposed pilot boundary runs roughly from Duquesne Avenue to Ince Boulevard and would apply only during permitted activations.

Darryl Menthi of the Downtown Business Association, which would serve as zone manager, said the DBA would handle wristbands, branded disposable cups, signage and procurement of private security to support safe operations. "Please give us the opportunity to try out what is a pilot project," he told the council.

Vice Mayor Fish and others pressed staff on safety mitigations, whether the DBA would pay for security and how private security costs would be factored into event budgets. Staff said the management plan expressly calls for the DBA to facilitate and pay for additional private security, wristbands and signage, while police and the city retain enforcement authority.

Councilmembers expressed cautious support for a pilot but asked staff and the DBA to provide clear operational details and a public safety plan before the first activation. The council voted to introduce the ordinance and to continue the public review and implementation process as a pilot program.