Introduction to the New Initiative
The city of Santa Monica plans to designate the Third street Promenade as an open container area.
The goal is to attract more visitors, but some business owners are concerned it’ll do the opposite.
Revitalizing the Third Street Promenade
The city hopes this new initiative will revitalize the Third Street Promenade and make it a destination for tourists and people who live in the area. The “entertainment zone” would create designated spaces to carry open alcohol containers and would allow anyone 21 and older to buy alcoholic beverages from a Promenade business and drink it outdoors between Wilshire and Broadway on the Third street Promenade.
Rules and Regulations
The rules would require people 21 and older to wear a wristband, alcohol must be in a non-glass or non-metal to go container, and people would need to finish it before entering another business. These regulations aim to balance the freedom of enjoying outdoor drinks with the need to maintain public safety and order.
Concerns from Business Owners
John Alle, a business owner and the co-founder of the Santa Monica Coalition which represents about 6,000 residents and business owners, said that he is worried this would do more harm than good. “We don’t think it’s going to bring back the 86 percent of residents who don’t feel safe coming back to the promenade, to dine or shop. They are going elsewhere, South Bay, Culver City, or Century City,” Alle said. “To encourage bars to come to offer these people drinks I think will bring the wrong crowd and will add the wrong atmosphere.” Alle also said they’re more concerned with the crime that is hurting businesses and want that to take priority over this proposal.
Mayor’s Perspective
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete said she’s hopeful the plan will attract more people to come visit, which is one of many ways they’ll be able to bring back business to the area. “The summer is often a time where everywhere in Los Angeles activates with open wine gardens, and free concerts with thousands of people, and that hasn’t proven to be a problem that we are aware of, there’s other communities that do this across the state, not in California,” Negrete said. “So I say we have to give it a chance that’s why we are being extremely trepidatious and rolling it out slowly.”
Implementation Details
The current proposal planned for this to operate from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. but the mayor said they are still deciding on the exact hours and days it will go into effect. The city council’s decision marks a significant step towards enhancing the vibrancy of the Third Street Promenade, though the impact remains to be seen.
Conclusion
The approval of public drinking on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade is a controversial move aimed at revitalizing the area. While it is intended to attract more visitors and boost local businesses, concerns about safety, crime, and the type of crowd it might attract are valid and need careful consideration. The success of this initiative will depend on how well the city can balance these factors and ensure that the area remains safe and appealing to all.
FAQs
- Q: What is the city of Santa Monica planning for the Third Street Promenade?
A: The city plans to designate the Third Street Promenade as an open container area to attract more visitors. - Q: What are the rules for drinking in the designated area?
A: Individuals must be 21 or older, wear a wristband, use non-glass or non-metal containers, and finish their drink before entering another business. - Q: Why are some business owners opposed to the plan?
A: They are concerned it might attract the wrong crowd, increase crime, and not address the underlying issues that are driving residents and shoppers away. - Q: When will the new rules go into effect?
A: The exact hours and days of operation are still being decided, but the proposal suggests it could be from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
