DOWNTOWN WARREN Liquor approval marks first step toward district

A change in law would be required to allow the designation here.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Voter approval of Sunday liquor sales in part of downtown enabled the first step toward a downtown entertainment district. An application from proponents to the city is the next requirement.
Voters in the city's 4th Ward approved Sunday liquor sales in the downtown area:
U From the south side of Washington Street to South Street along Mahoning Avenue.
U South Street to the west side of Chestnut Street, up to Woodland Avenue and back to Washington Street.
Tristan Hand, one of the proponents of the measure, and Robert Holmes III, D-4th, said the state first must wait for certification of election results from the Trumbull County Board of Elections. The state also must notify bar and restaurant owners that licenses for Sunday sales are available.
Hand, owner of Queen of Hearts, a Pine Avenue bar, believes the Sunday sales approval is the beginning of the process to create a downtown entertainment district. Such a designation would enable restaurants and bars in that area to obtain liquor licenses at a lower cost. Those licenses would remain in the district, as an owner couldn't transfer it to an establishment outside the district.
"The fees from those licenses would go to the city," Hand said. "It's a win-win situation for the city."
Until recently, state law required a population of at least 100,000 to get an entertainment district designation. Warren's population is less than 50,000.
What's being done
State Sen. Marc Dann, D-32, of Liberty, said legislation passed earlier this year as part of the state budget opens up the opportunity for entertainment districts to municipalities with lower population thresholds.
An entertainment district downtown fits with the area's revitalization, the senator said.
"We want to nurture that," Dann said.
Approval from city council is required to create such a district.
Hand said he's researching to determine what must be done to pursue the designation.
The Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District Association submitted an application earlier this year to create an entertainment district in that city.
Youngstown Council approved the district after Mayor George McKelvey recommended approval. The mayor had initially rejected the application because of his concerns about the effect on liquor license holders downtown.
Michael D. Keys, city community development director, agrees a district may be beneficial to the city.
"Anytime you revitalize a downtown, the nightlife is part of that," he said.
When the Robins Theater project on Warren's East Market Street is complete, it will be beneficial to have restaurants and nightspots nearby for theatergoers to stop in on the way to or from a show, Keys said.
Hand points out that he and Holmes, who faced off for the 4th Ward council seat three years ago, have been working together for the district.
"We're one-time political opponents working together for the betterment of the city," he said.
The idea is to keep people downtown particularly in the evenings and on weekends and to make the area a destination, Holmes said.
denise.dick@vindy.com