Reading time 2 minutes
Homewood City Hall. Photo via Homewood City Council’s Facebook page
To continue a regional trend, the city of Homewood will be considering establishing designated entertainment areas this month.
The development of one or more entertainment districts was suggested by Councilor Jennifer Andress during a meeting of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee earlier this week.
This is how entertainment districts work
SoHo Square in Homewood, AL.
An entertainment district is a designated area for alcohol-licensed businesses where drinks can be taken out within the boundaries of the district and at certain times.
An opportunity
Ward 5 Homewood City Council member Jennifer Andress – Photo by Pat Byington
In a statement to Bham Now, Homewood Councilor Jennifer Andress explained why the proposed regulation makes sense and is a great opportunity.
“During the pandemic, the town hall square became a place where people came to sit outside, spread out, watch their children play, and enjoy food and drinks. After talking to our restaurant owners and surrounding communities that have issued similar ordinances and local laws, we aim to designate the entertainment district. This will allow our citizens to purchase an adult drink with an ABC license from our restaurants and take an open container with them as they stroll downtown window shopping and enjoy all that our downtown area has to offer. We are also reviewing Edgewood and West Homewood for future denominations. “
A trend
Avondale became Birmingham’s 4th designated entertainment district on June 22, 2020. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Entertainment districts have become very popular in Birmingham and the surrounding suburbs.
The city of Birmingham has four entertainment districts:
In 2020, Hoover, Trussville, Vestavia and Helena approved new entertainment districts.
In early 2021, Alabama Legislature approved HB 479, allowing the City of Mountain Brook to build three entertainment districts.
State Senator Rodger Smitherman proposed additional legislation to add up to 15 entertainment districts to the Birmingham city limits.
Next up
Homewood City Council will review the entertainment district proposal in August, Andress said.
Will Homewood be the next city to add entertainment districts? Mark us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Pat ByingtonLongtime conservationist. Former executive director of the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Editor of Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include taking an active role in creating Alabama’s Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preserving special places throughout the east through the Wilderness Society, and strengthening (enhancing) the state of Alabamas Cancer risk and mercury standards.
Comments are closed.