Wilmington City Council receives report on social district pilot program

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington City Council received at update Monday on a social district pilot program that was held in the Brooklyn Arts District last month.  

The social district was held on three Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. last month. Deputy City Manager Chad McEwen shared the results of that pilot program at council’s agenda briefing.  

McEwen said the response from citizens and business owners was overwhelmingly positive. Businesses—including ones that don’t sell alcohol—reported much higher sales. There were also no calls to police, EMS, or fire and no additional strain on city resources. 

McEwen said one complaint that was received noted that there was not enough parking in the area. 

“I think we found on the pilot program for these Saturdays that it did work, with some minor issues that we can address. Other districts I think are going to have to be on a case by case basis,” he said. 

Council members Salette Andrews and Kevin Spears noted that keeping area residents notified about the social district through the mail and otherwise will be key moving forward. 

Council is expected to vote on making the social district permanent at their next meeting.