by James Coulter
A proposed social district, which will allow outdoor drinking, has raised some concerns about public intoxication and the potential exclusion of businesses in the downtown area.
During their recent workshop on Wed. July 30, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an ordinance for next week’s regular meeting. The ordinance will approve amendments to the city code to create a proposed social district in Downtown Lake Wales. The ordinance passed its first reading with a 3-2 vote at the previous city commission meeting on Tues. July 15.
If approved, the proposed Arts, Community, and Entertainment (ACE) District will permit the outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages. Visitors will be able to purchase beverages in a special container from participating bars and restaurants and consume their drink within the downtown area.
“We believe it will attract more people to our downtown to spend money,” said City Manager James Slaton. “We believe it will give downtown businesses more opportunities to make money and be successful by being able to offer another product. And we believe people are going to enjoy it.”
Commissioner Carol Gillespie, who had voted against the ordinance, had raised concerns about the district encouraging public intoxication. She also raised concerns about the district’s boundaries excluding some businesses over others. She inquired if businesses built outside the district would be able to participate.
“They will not,” answered Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson. “It’s called an incentive.”
Commissioner Gibson then inquired about how the district’s boundaries were determined. Autumn Cochella, Growth Management Director, answered that the boundaries began with the mixed-use designated properties within the downtown area. However, as those boundaries were initially too broad, the new boundaries were created working outward from the historic district.
“The goal is to bring people into the downtown area,” she said. “So that’s what the district looks like in the downtown area.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson, who had voted in favor of the ordinance, dismissed any concerns about public intoxication. If such unruly behavior were to occur, the commission would revisit the issue. Otherwise, he did not see such behavior as likely to occur if the district is approved.
He compared the downtown area currently prohibiting outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages purchased from local businesses to a movie theater that sold concessions but did not allow them to be eaten while watching a movie.
“This is not about alcohol, it is about freedom,” he said. “We are trying to encourage and incentivize downtown and make that a thriving, flourishing area once again. And I think that the district will encourage that. This is to encourage people to come down to Lake Wales and have the freedom to enjoy it.”
The Lake Wales City Commission will vote on the second reading of the ordinance on Tues. Aug. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
