Patrons could soon be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages as they roam certain areas of downtown Lawrence.
With KU football games slated for Kansas City for at least the upcoming season while Memorial Stadium undergoes major renovations, “the City Commission asked staff to work with stakeholders to look into a Common Consumption Area (CCA) for Downtown Lawrence,” according to the meeting agenda.
Lawrence city commissioners during their meeting Tuesday will hear a report on research city staff members have conducted. Commissioners will not be asked to vote on approving a plan during their work session on the CCA, but will likely give staff guidance on how to move forward.
City staff members identified areas of downtown as possible boundaries for a common consumption area, centered on Massachusetts Street between Sixth Street and just south of 11th Street. The boundaries would extend about a block west and/or east along some portions of Mass Street. Within the boundaries, people would be allowed to carry beverages they’ve purchased.
People would not be allowed to bring their own beer — alcoholic beverages must be purchased at an establishment licensed to sell liquor located within or adjacent to the CCA, according to the city’s informational website.
There are at least 42 common consumption areas licensed since March 2023 in cities across Kansas, according to a list in the meeting agenda. City staff members researched the regulations and spoken with the deputy city manager of Hays, Kansas, according to the agenda item.
Staff members believe a CCA could lead to increased activity and alcohol sales downtown. It would also allow people to drink while they’re waiting for a table, after they eat and while they’re shopping or window shopping, according to the agenda. The city would determine hours for the CCA, and whether or not it would be in effect during specific events.
Staff held public meetings to get input from representatives of 32 local businesses and organizations, including about a dozen that serve alcohol, according to the agenda item. Among concerns they heard were that “Downtown is already perceived as unsafe, concern this will exacerbate that perception,” and that people are unsure whether this would benefit retail over restaurants or vice versa, according to the agenda. There is also limited access to restrooms downtown.
“Strict enforcement is necessary from the start,” according to the agenda, and the city would need to consider coordinated patrol by police at the start of the program.
Glass containers could be a safety concern, but businesses in CCAs generally serve in disposable cups branded with their logos, according to the agenda item. In line with the city’s sustainability goals, one concern in the staff presentation is whether cups should be plastic, compostable or other, and whether that would be stipulated by the ordinance. The city enacted a ban on single-use plastic bags in March.
Businesses would not have to participate in the CCA, and nonparticipating businesses could determine whether to allow customers to enter with beverages, according to the agenda item.
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will also consider adopting a plan to bring city sidewalks and curb ramps up to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, estimated to cost the city and residents more than $103 million over the next 20 years. Read more about that at this link.
The Lawrence City Commission will meet at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. See the full meeting agenda at this link.
Meetings are open to the public and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/@lawrenceksvideo, and Midco channel 25.
People may submit written public comment until noon the day of the meeting by emailing ccagendas@lawrenceks.org. The commission also hears public comment in person and via Zoom during meetings. Register for Tuesday’s Zoom meeting at this link.
Update:
• Lawrence city commissioners have mixed feelings about on-the-go drinking downtown, July 17, 2024
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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