Wilmington, N.C- If you’ve traveled to New Orleans, or Las Vegas you may have experienced that moment when you a leave an establishment with a to-go-cup filled with alcohol.
Now something similar may soon be allowed in certain parts of Wilmington.
The City Council is studying something they call “social districts,” and wants to launch a pilot program by the end of the year.
In a designated zone, people would be allowed to openly carry alcohol from one establishment into another, or simply walk around and window shop while holding an adult beverage. The belief is that social districts would entice people to stay in an area longer, and spend more money.
These pedestrian friendly areas have been gaining in popularity across the country and throughout North Carolina. They’ve been adopted in several communities including Asheville, Lake Norman, Raleigh, Kannapolis and Whiteville.
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo has come out in support of social districts, but the Mayor says it should be done in smaller areas. He told WWAY-TV, “We have evaluated other cities in how they handle their social districts. We’ve taken a lot of input from the owners of restaurants and bars and citizens with respect to how this policy will roll out.”
The Mayor suggested doing pilots programs in areas like the South Front District, the Cargo District, The Soda Pop district, or North Fourth/Brooklyn Arts District. If successful in those areas, the Mayor said it could then be brought to Front Street or the Riverwalk.
Mr. Saffo said the city plans to announce where the pilot districts will be located in by the end of the summer.