Carrying a beer or cocktail while walking through parts of Chico could soon become legal. City council members will decide on Tuesday whether to create entertainment zones downtown and in Meriam Park.
The idea is modeled after one in Redding, which has had its own entertainment zone downtown for just over six months now.
And officials there say it’s been a success.
Last month, Jason Gibilisco with Redding’s city manager’s office gave council an update, saying they’ve mostly heard positive feedback.
“Businesses did report that during events, business does significantly increase, so that is great,” Gibilisco said.
He also said the Redding Police Department hasn’t seen any increase in calls for service or significant safety concerns.
Still, Gibilisco said there is some room for improvement.
"It was suggested that it would be helpful for additional educational materials regarding the boundaries and rules,” he said. “We are also working to add more garbage cans in the entertainment zone.”
If approved, Chico's program would have many of the same rules as Redding, 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.
