Let spirited debate begin on refreshment zones in Valley
Can West Federal Street in down- town Youngstown soon resemble Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Beale Street in Memphis?
That’s a question city leaders should seriously examine now that the Ohio Legislature, with uncharacteristic speed and nonpartisanship, has passed House Bill 47 to permit open-container alcoholic drinking districts in large and medium-sized communities throughout the state. Gov. John Kasich kept the legislation on the high-speed track, signing it and enabling it to take effect immediately.
Given that the summer festival season will soon begin in earnest throughout the Mahoning Valley, leaders of eligible communities here should mimic state leaders’ speed and waste little time in determining first whether such “outdoor refreshment zones” are suitable in their communities and, if so, where they would optimally be placed.
The new law relaxes Ohio’s open-container prohibitions by allowing creation of districts no larger than one-half square mile in areas with at least four liquor-permitted establishments to establish the “outdoor refreshment zones.” These zones exempt adults on foot, bar hoppers and passengers in stationary vehicles from state open-container laws. Cities with more than 35,000 residents are permitted one such district; cities with more than 50,000 residents are permitted two. In the Valley, that means Youngstown could establish two zones while Warren and Boardman could establish one.
Given the boost such districts could mean for businesses and the potential they could have for inspiring outdoor entertainment venues and street festivals, the zones bode well for expanding and diversifying entertainment options for party-hearty revelers as well as jump-starting economic and community revitalization for cash-strapped communities.
TIGHT SECURITY A MUST
Of course, one key to their success would be to guarantee strict attention to security to prevent disorderly antics from imbibers. That, of course, would require a strong police presence.
In Youngstown, one of two entertainment districts would have to be the popular West Federal Street entertainment district downtown, where hundreds and sometimes thousands of revelers gather every Friday and Saturday night for socializing and imbibing at any of the dozen liquor establishments that have developed there over the past decade. That’s a no-brainer.
City leaders with the assistance of Michael McGiffin, Youngstown’s coordinator of downtown events, could also consider a second district in the Youngstown State University area, the tavern row along South Avenue or other options on the East and West sides of town.
In Warren and Boardman, city and township leaders should also exercise due diligence in planning if and where such districts should be established.
In all communities, leaders should then listen attentively to the cheers and jeers of residents during a mandatory 30-day public comment period on such proposals. If well-reasoned opposition surfaces, leaders may wisely decide that the time or designated place for such districts are not the right fit just yet.
From our vantage point, however, implementation of such districts is worth a try for the potential positive impact they could exert on the continued rejuvenation of such areas as the central cities of Youngstown and Warren and the expansion of the already booming nightlife of Boardman.
With proper controls and protections in place, they could well serve as a potent elixir for spirited fun and robust community improvement.