Cornelius will test ‘social district’ allowing alcohol consumption outdoors on Catawba
Feb. 23. By Dave Yochum. A new “Lake Norman Social District” downtown has been approved by the Cornelius Town Board in time for St. Patrick’s Day bar parties.
It means St. Patrick’s Day revelers in a proscribed area downtown can have open containers outside.
What’s new: HB 890
The state recently passed a law known as HB 890 that allows for social districts. By connecting multiple bars/restaurants in a smaller area, people are allowed to walk between them with a specific open container.
This district—there could be more in the future—would extend from the recently opened Thigs nightspot to Old Town Public House on March 17.
If all goes well the district could open more frequently.
Furcht
Either way, the Town Board also unanimously approved a mini social district at Old Town Public House, so that patrons on any day can walk to an adjacent outdoor seating area.
“Given the area that includes Thigs, OTPH and eventually the Cain Center, this would allow folks to walk outside from one venue to the other,” said Commissioner Colin Furcht.
Hours
The social district hours extend to 10 pm.
Just a test
For now, it’s just a test—and Cornelius Police will be monitoring the scene.
Bilodeau
“I am optimistic it will encourage Center City activity,” Furcht said.
Background
As a response to businesses struggling from the pandemic, HB 890 allows individuals carrying alcoholic beverages to walk within the social district, providing much-needed foot traffic for local restaurants/bars and businesses.
“The idea certainly fits with the development of our downtown arts district and festival street. Cornelius is implementing a very limited district within our downtown in order to evaluate the benefits and long term viability,” said Commissioner Denis Bilodeau.
The social district extends from Thigs to Old Town Public House (OTPH)
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Like it isn’t hard enough now to drive through that sectio without having someone dodging out into traffic, now we’re going to have them do it intoxicated and/or alcohol in their hands!
If allowed it would be best to only be allowed on the side or behind the buildings. Remember we are supposed to be promoting families as well.
I would love to see some type of a trolley or transportation service that goes up and down Catawba so people easily have transportation to frequent the businesses. Uber and Lyft not readily available these days!!
Excellent idea Lori! Actually Commissioner Bilodeau and I have already discussed this option. Stay tuned!
Mr. Furcht,
My wife and I have our commercial drivers license and may be interested in driving a trolley for the town sometime in the future.
We live in Davidson and only minutes from Cornelius.
The idea sounds like so much fun!
Please keep our e-mail.
Thank you Ben! I will continue to investigate this option and will absolutely keep you in mind. I think this would be a great way to traverse the I77 divide!
These designated districts have been in effect in Charlotte for a number of years. I believe they will be popular in Cornelius too. Will generate more visitors. Generally, there needs to be additional parking available downtown. We have time to accomplish extra parking before the Cain Center opens later this year. CGray
The social district concept sounds nice in theory, but there is a real safety concern here. That stretch of Catawba already has issues with people ignoring the crosswalks. Instead, they dart out from behind parked cars, dodging oncoming traffic. Sober Frogger is dangerous enough without turning into drunk Frogger. Hoping for the best, but I’m concerned.
I agree safety should be addressed but from a visibility perspective for both pedestrians and drivers. I routinely see drivers ignore pedestrians waiting in a crosswalk, and I routinely see pedestrians cross randomly between cars.
I’m encouraged to see how Davidson addressed a similar safety concern in front of Main Street Books and the banks by adding another crosswalk with excellent signage. Is Cornelius considering something similar? I’d love to see ped xing with flashing lights to help driver visibility.
The benefit for businesses is more foot traffic; I don’t think alcohol sales will skyrocket because one can walk among businesses.
As a motorcyclist I always slow down to between 10-15mph thru here because I cant tell if somebody is going to walk out from behind a car or not.. a big speedbump like the one infront of the school would help too! stripe it yellow and make it visible, 2 big speedbumps would be even better.