Wilmington City Council approves first reading for a social district in the Brooklyn Arts District

"It is a chance to build economic growth within the district and at the beginning of the year, which is also the slowest time of the year."

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District is a trendy area with shops, bars, and restaurants. During a meeting Tuesday night, Wilmington City Council members discussed an ordinance that could bring some changes in this area.
This ordinance has been in discussion for some time now. In a four to two vote — city council members approved an ordinance on the first reading — that would set up a temporary pilot program for a social district here.
This means folks will be able to take an alcoholic beverage out of an establishment and walk around the Brooklyn Arts District” with that drink in hand. For three Saturdays in February, between noon and 5 P.M., if you have a plastic cup with the appropriate labeling, you can walk around the 10-block radius in the arts district with an adult drink in hand.
It did get some pushback from some council members due to this possibly increasing plastic pollution, and with the Wilmington Police Department’s shortage of officers, law enforcement mechanisms were also a concern. Business owners are excited about tonight’s approval and say this will bring an economic boom to this arts district.

“It is a chance to build economic growth within the district and at the beginning of the year, which is also the slowest time of the year,” Tara English, owner of Brooklyn Cafe, said. “The pilot social district program is based around our events. The Brooklyn Arts District hosts multiple events throughout the year. So, we picked the start date of February 1ST, based around one of our largest events.”
“The whole neighborhood came together and had the idea, but Wilmington is one of the biggest cities in the state. 55 cities in the state have a social district. It’s ludicrous that we don’t have one here,” Alex White, owner of Pizzeria Don Luca.
You can’t bring one drink from one business into another.

However, this is only a pilot program– not permanent, to test out if this initiative will work. The council did not unanimously approve the first reading so, a second reading of the ordinance will have to come up for a vote again on January 21st.