REED CITY — A social district could very well be on its way to downtown Reed City after a recent approval by city officials.
During its recent meeting, the Reed City city council approved a resolution to establish a social district in the downtown area.
Now that the resolution has been approved, the application to the state will be submitted, Reed City mayor Roger Meinert told the Pioneer.
The social district will include the 100 block of Upton Avenue in downtown Reed City, with the boundaries of the commons areas clearly designated and marked with signs and graphics on streets and sidewalks, according to the plan submitted to the state for approval.
The social district would allow for licensed bars, distilleries, breweries, restaurants and tasting rooms to sell alcoholic beverages in designated cups to be taken into the commons area for consumption.
The common area will be operational from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, seven days a week beginning at noon each day.
Social district beverages will be served until 10 p.m., with the commons area remaining open for consumption until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., alcoholic beverages must be consumed within the license holders service area according to their hours of operation.
All participating establishments must receive approval form the city council and Michigan Liquor Control Commission prior to selling alcohol to patrons for consumption in the commons area.
No business within the social district that does not hold a valid liquor license may permit patrons to bring social district beverages into that place of business.
Current businesses holding an MLCC liquor license include Seven Slotte Grille, Sunny’s Bar and Grill, Reed City Brewing and Buckboard Enterprises.
The dates, times and hours of operation are subject to change by the council, however, council must first hold a public hearing and must notify MLCC of any modifications.
According to the plan, Upton Street will remain open for traffic and parking, however, the city may from time to time provide entertainment and food trucks within the common area for the enjoyment of the public, which may require closing of the street.
“The social district will be a great addition to our community and all of the great things we have going on,” Meinert said. “ The feedback from people who have visited other communities with social districts has been overwhelmingly positive and I look forward to seeing that same excitement for Reed City.”
Michigan Public Act 124 of 2020 allows for local governmental units to establish a designated social district within its jurisdiction, wherein any business “contiguous to a commons area” within the social district, that is licensed to sell alcohol by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, can sell such beverages to customers, which may be taken into the common area for consumption.
Currently, around 40 Michigan municipalities have created social districts, with the opportunity to support local businesses by allowing the consumption of alcohol in clearly delineated common areas.
PROMOTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
The idea of establishing a social district in Reed City was brought before the city council by Meinert in March.
Meinert told the council that he had been in discussions with friends from other municipalities where the social districts had been put into place and was intrigued with the idea.
“We are looking for opportunities to support our downtown, to provide a more social atmosphere and community atmosphere, and I think this is something that can benefit our downtown area,” Meinert said at the time.
Some council members expressed reservations about the proposed social district and suggested that they establish a committee to look into the possibility.
In June, the social district committee, and the city council held a public hearing on the proposal to get input from the community.
Overwhelmingly, the public response was in favor of moving forward with the proposal, saying it was an important step in promoting the growth of the city.
Several local business owners told the council that they felt it would be good for the city and would bring more visitors to the downtown area, promoting local businesses.
Representatives of the Reed City Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club both said they would support the effort.
“On behalf of the board, I want to say we are in support of this,” chamber member Tricia Worth said during the public hearing. “I think there is more development that needs to be one, but the initial start is to be approved by the state.”
Some residents expressed concern about the possibility of tax dollars going to support the social district.
Expenses will be funded through the sale of “social district cups” to the participating businesses, along with funds provided by the Chamber of Commerce, the plan established by city council states.
The funds collected will pay for security enforcement, sanitation, signage, marketing and entertainment. Any remaining funds beyond that needed to cover expenses will be retained for public improvements and services within the district.
Management and maintenance of the social district will be handled by the social district committee, consisting of city staff, the city manager, the police department, the department of public works, the chamber of commerce and the participating establishments.
Security of the social district will be handled by the Reed City Police Department and sanitation will be managed by the department of public works.
At the end of each season, the social district committee will file a report to the city council regarding the success or failure of the social district, including any recommendations for changes.
No timeline was available as to when the social district may become effective. For more information on the proposed social district plan visit reedcity.org or call 231-832-2245.
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August 10, 2021 at 05:10PM
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Social district receives final approval from Reed City Council - The Pioneer
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