By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council held the first reading on the ordinance to designate the Trussville Entertainment District (TED) on Thursday, Nov. 17.
The goal of the ordinance is to encompass the businesses in the TED and make them into one group. The TED would be drawn to include the pavilion, Ferus, Trussville Social, Mr. West, Corbeau Wine Bar, Axe Downtown, and it extends to Shirley’s Florist. If the TED grows, the council can decide to expand the lines at that time.
“We encompassed all the businesses that could turn into a different establishment in the future,” Lieutenant Chuck Bradford said.
Every business inside the TED, if they plan to serve alcohol, has to have an individual liquor license.
The TED would not include the parking lots because they do not want individuals leaving the designated area with open containers of alcohol.
“We take out the parking lot because you really don’t want people drinking in the parking lot,” Bradford said. “If it is included, it will make it legal. If we were going to try to enforce it and make people pour out their drinks, putting it inside the district line can put us in a difficult position.”
By taking the parking lot out and drawing the line right behind all the businesses, the city can contain it to the pavilion and restaurants. In addition, the area will be marked by six-foot signs that say, “No alcohol beyond this point.” The Trussville Police Department said they would supply an officer to enforce this rule.
“We don’t want to encourage people to take alcohol out of the TED,” Bradford said.
The designation of the TED would allow patrons to carry open containers of alcohol from one area to another; however, the alcohol has to be in plastic cups (no glass) with the name of the businesses names displayed on the cup and a receipt of purchase. Additionally, patrons are not allowed to enter another business with alcohol from a separate business.
“The receipt helps ensure that people are not bringing their own alcohol into the TED,” Council president Lisa Bright said.
If an individual leaves the entertainment district with an open container, they will be asked to pour it out.
Mayor Buddy Choat explained to the council that the term Entertainment District is established by state code, and the state establishes the rules.
The hours of operation for the TED would change if the ordinance is passed. If the council approves it, the hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, and then the TED and businesses will close at 11 p.m. In addition, no alcoholic beverages are permitted within the district after 11 p.m. unless authorized by special events permit.
“This would close all businesses in the TED at 11 p.m. because they are in the Entertainment District,” Bradford said.
Bradford said they would work with the businesses to educate them on the ordinance if it’s approved.
The second reading and vote on the ordinance will be held at the next city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m.