People 21 and older will soon be able to sip an adult beverage while walking the streets of downtown Chico and Meriam Park.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously moved forward with a plan to create “entertainment zones” in the two commercial districts. The zones allow the purchase of alcoholic drinks from participating licensed businesses on designated streets and sidewalks, after the state authorized their creation.
Assistant City Manager Erik Gustafson said he’s been watching how entertainment zones have worked in other cities — including Redding — and he believes they will help boost Chico’s post-COVID economy.
“What we really have to do is focus on creating an experience that will attract folks to come down and enjoy,” Gustafson said. “So we're trying to enhance public gathering spaces, opportunities, really support economic development.”
The downtown area spans from Children’s Park to Highway 32 and is bordered by Normal Avenue to the west and Flume Street to the east. The Meriam Park zone includes much of the development’s commercial core.
The City of Redding launched California’s largest entertainment zone last summer in an effort to revitalize its downtown. In the six months since it’s been active, officials have reported positive results, including increased business.
Chico’s zones will be regulated, including limiting where drinks can be carried, requiring approved cups and wristbands, and having set operating hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Still, some councilors expressed concerns about safety, including Mike O’Brien.
“We're adjacent to a university with vulnerable populations that we need to also be good stewards for as well, not just our businesses,” O’Brien said.
Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge said he’s been in conversation with the Redding Police Department that says they’ve had no problems with the open-container zone.
“No extra calls for service, no added issues or anything of that nature,” Aldridge said. “So my recommendation was approval from the police department.”
After suggesting the ordinance be amended to include an annual review of the zones rather than every two years, O’Brien agreed to move forward with the plan.
The council will go through a second reading of the ordinance at the August 18 meeting, then it’s adopted 30 days later.
