Imlay City social district pending

Commission requests boundry adjustments

 

IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City police department has been working closely with the Downtown Development Authority and city officials to investigate the possibility of Imlay City having a social drinking district in the downtown area.

If the proposal gets approved at some point, it will become just the third social district in Lapeer County. The City of Lapeer and the Village of Almont are the two currently with such designations.

In a presentation to the city commission January 21, Police Chief Brett Selby and DDA Executive Director Christine Malzahn detailed a plan that if approved, would allow for social drinking (with specific stipulations) throughout the downtown area.

In the presentation, Chief Selby stated, “It is my recommendation that the City of Imlay City pursue a Downtown Social District to provide new opportunities for outdoor consumption of alcohol under restrictions of the State of Michigan Social District legislation.”

In his presentation, the Chief went on to say, “A Social District is an area designated by the municipal government where consumers are able to drink beer, wine or spirits in a designated commons area outside the walls of a licensed establishment.”

According to the work done by Chief Selby and Malzahn, the downtown area of Imlay City would initially propose two businesses, Third and Main, Inc. and Botana’s, Inc., be the first two permitted social district businesses. The Eagles hall in Imlay City, on S. Almont, would also be included in the proposed district.

They are located in the heart of the downtown area on E. Third St. and Almont Ave.

Chief Selby said other liquor licenses are available to be qualified establishments. The number of licenses in a community is based on its population. Imlay City’s population is roughly 3,700, according to city officials.

The proposed Social District Common Area in downtown would encompass the western tip of the cul-de-sac on Third St. west to the west side of Almont Ave., from Second St. to Fifth St., on both sides.

In addition, it would include: the area along Depot Drive from Almont St. to the old DPW barn and north behind the police department. Original plans called for the district to encompass the Alvin Norlin Pool area.

However, after city commission members questioned the wisdom of including the pool area, where children are present, new boundary lines have been made excluding the pool area. The district would then continue west to the rear of City Hall and back south to Third St.

It would then continue west from Third St., south of Main St. to north of the alley behind 150 POP parallel to Bancroft then west to Bancroft and south back to Third St.

“The Chief got the ball rolling when he took a trip to the west side of the state and experienced a social district and later said to himself, why not Imlay City?” said City Manager Craig Horton.

He added, “From there, Christine and the DDA have been heavily involved with specific details. It’s really been a collaborative effort between all of us.”

Horton added, “I’ve been in contact with the Michigan Municipal League regarding additional insurance and they said they have not had to do that for other established social districts and didn’t see an issue with us.”

The DDA would invest approximately $2,000 for large signs to be placed throughout the downtown area, according to Chief Selby.

“These signs would detail how the district works and the hours it’s allowed,” the Chief explained. “There would also be additional garbage cans placed downtown to handle a potential increase in trash.

Hours for the district would be: Sunday thru Thursday 12 p.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. until 11 p.m.

If the district is approved, consumption of beverages would be only permitted within the social district. Beverages must be purchased from a qualified license holder as identified. The beverages must be consumed out of a plastic cup with a historic downtown Imlay City Social District sticker on it.

Officials say at the earliest, it could be April or later before the social district is open, pending final approval. Before it could become official, there are legalities that need to be taken care of including passing a new resolution and publishing the action in the local newspaper.

Any group or organization that wanted to have an event involving alcohol, within the district, would still have to apply for a permit 30 days prior to the event happening.

A final determination as to the size of cup issued has yet to be finalized. But authorities are estimating a 14 to 16 ounce cup, with the required stickers already on them, would be available for sale.

You would not be allowed to take other open intoxicants outside and walk down the sidewalks within the district, or elsewhere.

“That becomes an open intoxicant situation and then we have other issues and most likely, you’re going to jail,” Chief Selby said.

In regards to public safety, the Chief said, “The city of Imlay City police department will provide law enforcement services to the social district. In accordance with existing protocol, at least one officer will be designated to patrol the city until midnight each night. The officers on patrol will be jointly responsible for providing services within the social district.”

During special events and any time when the district is anticipating seeing significant crowds and activity, police will issue a request to staff for additional special patrol officers.

According to the presentation, the DDA will provide one thousand two-inch round stickers to each license holder within the social district in January of each calendar year. Businesses would be required to indicate a drink has been sold by their establishment by including the business’s logo, trade name or other unique features.

Chief Selby concluded, “from everyone I’ve spoken with, and there’s been a lot, this is not like a drunken splurge on Main St. or anything like that. It’s just a chance for folks to come downtown, see what it has to offer. There might be a car show, or motorcycle show, something special going on. They can have a drink from an approved establishment and walk around to see what’s available.”

City officials say they are hoping the social district will draw people to the downtown area and possibly see a new business or two open.

A final decision is expected next month.