A proposal to allow a social district in downtown St. Joseph remains under review by city commissioners. During a Monday meeting of the St. Joseph City Commission, St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal told the body about the state law that allows cities to set up common areas where people are allowed to consume alcohol. She said the law is specifically designed to help businesses hurt by the pandemic.
“They’ve been impacted so negatively and so significantly over the last year,” Zapal said. “This isn’t a marketing tool. It’s not a way to get people here. It’s a way to support businesses who have already supported our downtown.”
The proposed social district in St. Joseph would cover the downtown area, including part of Lake Bluff Park, and go down to Silver Beach Pizza. Commissioner Jeff Richards had concerns.
“I don’t think that this particular program can enhance the safety or the cleanliness of the community to attract people in,” Richards said. “In fact, it may have the adverse effect.”
Other commissioners had questions about the size of the district, how it would be marked, and how law enforcement would be affected. In the end, the commission decided to seek more information. The issue will be discussed again at the next meeting. Zapal said she will speak with local businesses to come up with a different proposal.
