Information photograph by Steve Schulwitz Latitudes Tavern bartender Dayna Cadarette fills a beer mug whereas on the job Monday. The tavern and a number of other different companies may very well be added to Alpena's social district.
ALPENA — The Alpena Metropolis Council voted Four-Zero Monday to develop the boundaries of the Alpena Social Safety District.
The Downtown Alpena Improvement Authority made the request so that companies serving alcohol within the newly expanded DDA district can get pleasure from the advantages the social district has offered elsewhere in downtown starting in the summertime of 2021.
The social neighborhood growth space may very well be up and operating earlier than the summer time.
A social district offers a chosen public area the place prospects might take alcoholic drinks bought from a licensed bar or restaurant positioned within the social district and revel in them with prospects buying drinks from different bars and eating places within the social district.
Councilor Mike Nowak stated the present social district was a very good factor for the town middle and that issues about litter and issues from individuals ingesting an excessive amount of alcohol had been alleviated.
Courtesy photograph Each new and present social neighborhood boundaries are seen on this aerial view of downtown Alpena.
Alpena Police Chief Eric Hamp informed the council that police haven’t seen any issues with downtown crime that has been related to the social neighborhood.
“I believe this has been a really constructive program and it makes us a extra social space and folks benefit from it,” Nowak stated. “They use it to benefit from the park, so I believe it's been a very good factor for us and I believe the growth is a good suggestion.”
Anne Gentry, govt director of the DDA, stated companies corresponding to Latitude's Tavern, Gamers Pub and Grub, Sports activities Web page Lounge and The Nest may very well be a part of the expanded social district if and when they’re licensed.
Gentry stated the expanded social district will run down Chisholm Road to the George Washington Bridge and down 2nd Avenue to the Outdated Polish Nook Restaurant on the nook of 2nd Avenue and Lake Road.
It could additionally embody the whole two-lane path across the Thunder Bay River, which incorporates Lamarre Park, the whole Nice Lakes Maritime Heritage Path and Rotary Island Park.
It might additionally result in extra occasions in that area of the town and close by parks.
“We haven't had any points with the social quarter for the reason that starting and it's primarily used throughout occasions so it's a pleasant choice to have,” she stated. “If firms need to do it, it is smart to scale it up.”
The state enacted the brand new regulation through the COVID-19 pandemic to assist stimulate financial exercise and supply flexibility to hospitality companies by permitting the on-site sale and off-premises consumption of alcoholic drinks in designated “Social District” areas.
-
-
Information photograph by Steve Schulwitz Latitudes Tavern bartender Dayna Cadarette fills a beer mug whereas on the job Monday. The tavern and a number of other different companies may very well be added to Alpena's social district.
-
-
Courtesy photograph Each new and present social neighborhood boundaries are seen on this aerial view of downtown Alpena.
