The Fayetteville City Council will revisit a proposal to allow public drinking in much of downtown, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) and Rep. Sonia Barker (R – Smackover) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.
These districts can be permanent or temporary, under Act 812.
The Fayetteville City Council tabled a proposal to permit public drinking downtown last October following concerns raised by businesses in the area.
The revised proposal up for consideration tonight still would allow public drinking throughout much of downtown as well as at certain events.
You can find the proposed ordinance as well as comments from the Fayetteville city staff here.
As we have continued to say for more than a year, public drinking is a scourge on the community.
It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.
Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.
It hurts neighborhoods and families.
That’s why Family Council has put together a free toolkit to help citizens oppose these public drinking districts.
Our toolkit contains talking points, information about problems public drinking has caused in other states, photographs of public drinking districts elsewhere around the country, and other resources you can use to fight public drinking in your community.
