Texarkana creates entertainment zone

Outdoor imbibing subject to review

TEXARKANA — Texarkana has created an entertainment district, allowing open containers of alcohol outdoors.

The City Directors approved the district on Monday.

Entertainment districts have recently been established in Little Rock, Mountain Home and El Dorado. Other cities are considering them. Entertainment districts were made legal by Act 812 of 2019, which the Arkansas Legislature passed earlier this year.

When the Texarkana ordinance takes effect in 30 days, open consumption of alcohol will be allowed in a large portion of downtown Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight and Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Establishments in the district licensed to sell alcohol may allow customers age 21 and over to leave with an open container. No one may enter any business with an open container.

All state alcohol regulations remain in effect, including that no open containers may be carried out from liquor stores, no open containers are allowed in any motorized vehicles, and underage drinking is illegal.

The ordinance provides for trash cans and daily pickup of garbage in the district.

With input from the Police Department and Fire Department, the city Planning Commission will prepare a review report on the district in June 2020 and January 2021, and annually thereafter. City Director Terri Peavy requested that the phrase “and as needed” be added to clarify that the board can review the ordinance at any time.

City Manager Kenny Haskin sought to reassure Peavy that nothing stops the board from reviewing and changing the entertainment district ordinance whenever it chooses to.

“We’re not prohibited from taking immediate action” if any issues arise, Haskin said. “We will address those issues promptly.”

Signs clearly demarcating the district and explaining its rules, as well as the garbage bins, will be in place by the time it is opened, Public Works Director Tyler Richards said.

George Dodson, co-owner of Hopkins Ice House on East Third Street, which will be in the district, thanked the Board for passing the measure.

“It’s going to be a great thing,” he said. “I appreciate your confidence in downtown.”