It’s taken three St. Joseph city commission meetings and several revisions, but the Downtown Social District has been approved. The commission’s vote was 4-1 with Jeff Richards maintaining his opposition. St. Joseph Today executive director Amy Zapal made revisions to the physical district.
“You’ll see a smaller footprint,” says Zapal. “The east side says the same, but the west side is a much smaller footprint. It does not include Lake Bluff Park, but it does include the sidewalk along Lake Boulevard. I was very happy to have (public safety director) Steve Neubecker’s input when deciding what the smaller footprint should be.”
Commissioner Richards laid out several reasons he’s opposed.
“I’m not so sure this is going to enhance the visitation of people downtown. I’m very concerned about the challenges as far as public safety, and cleanliness in the area,” said Richards.
The district will be in place until the end of the year if approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The district allows for the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the “commons area” in the district. Several other cities, including South Haven, have already passed the proposal.
