Columbus City Council approved setting up a committee to look into establishing a co-called “red cup district” during its Tuesday night meeting.
If approved, patrons could take beer and light wine purchased at bars and restaurants within the district off-site, as long as it is in a specific cup. According to a draft ordinance, the cup is limited to 16 ounces, and the drinks must be purchased from vendors within the district and may not be brought in from outside.
The idea was first floated at a June 16 work session, and at Tuesday’s meeting Main Street Columbus Director Barbara Bigelow urged the council to support the idea.
Bigelow said it had been on her radar for the last five or six years and she had watched to see how such districts went over in other communities — such as Starkville and Tupelo.
“I contacted several of my peers throughout the state, and they said there was no increase in crime, and people were not walking around the streets inebriated,” Bigelow said.
In fact, she said it tended to increase business.
“It increased walking and shopping habits in the district, and restaurants and retailers saw increased business,” she said. “It also helped attract new businesses to the area, and the food and beverage tax revenue did increase.”
Bigelow said there are still some stones left to turn before the council establishes the district, starting with defining its boundaries.
“This is not something Columbus thought of — it’s been around for a long time and it has been successful,” Bigelow said. “I encourage you to consider this ordinance strongly.”
Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones said he is all for the idea but wants to proceed cautiously.
“I want to put together a committee to determine what all we want to do,” Jones said. “I’m pretty sure it will pass, but we need the details first — what the district is, what hours, things like that. But I am for it.”
Jones moved, with a second by Ward 1 Councilwoman Ethel Stewart, to establish a committee to lay the groundwork. It passed 5-0. Ward 4 Councilman Pierre Beard was out of the room when the vote was taken.
The composition of the committee was not established Tuesday, but, at his Wednesday press conference, Mayor Keith Gaskin suggested himself, Chief Operations Officer Jammie Garrett, Beard, Jones, Bigelow, Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Nancy Carpenter, City Attorney Jeff Turnage and possibly some business owners in the proposed district.
“The question has been whether to include the Burns Bottom area, where the Columbus Redevelopment Authority is working now,” Gaskin said. “It could help them attract other restaurants and bars.”
Gaskin said the area would likely start out small.
“I think the council is leaning towards keeping it as restricted as possible in the beginning to see how it goes,” Gaskin said. “Then if need be we can expand it. But at least for now we want it locked in (to the area) where people walk and shop.”
Gaskin said he thought the committee would move quickly, and said he hoped the council could vote as early as its July 5 meeting.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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