CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Open container will soon be allowed in downtown Clarksville during certain days and hours thanks to new state legislation designating a “Downtown Entertainment District.”
According to bill, sponsored by Rep. Jason Hodges and Sen. Bill Powers, the city can now designate times to allow open container outdoors. Traffic would be shut down on affected streets during these hours.
“It brings a little bit of Beale Street to Clarksville,” Hodges told Clarksville Now.
“We have remarkable new investments in our downtown area, but there is more potential,” Powers said, adding that the new law will increase tourism and encourage job creation.
The designation applies to downtown Clarksville, including College Street, Strawberry Alley and Franklin Street, and portions of Riverside Drive and Kraft Street neighboring the Riverwalk.
During entertainment district hours, restaurants will be able to provide additional services such as expanded outdoor seating. The affected area includes several businesses, including Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, Strawberry Alley Ale Works, Yada Café, King’s Bluff Brewery and more. The district also includes the parking lot where Clarksville’s Food Truck Roundup events are commonly held.
“We would be glad to see a change that would allow open containers and more seating on the sidewalks and streets. Clarksville is not blessed with big wide sidewalks downtown, so using the streets at certain times could be beneficial,” said Jeff Robinson, owner of Blackhorse Pub & Brewery.
Robinson added that he had some concerns about street closures during hours where no major events are taking place.
When asked why now is the time for a Downtown Entertainment District, Hodges said he was encouraged by recent developments downtown like the Multi Purpose Event Center (MPEC) and Clarksville Performing Arts Center. The new designation will allow restaurants to benefit from these new additions to the area.
“All this stuff works in conjunction,” Hodges said. “Now, we have reasons for people to want to be in the downtown area, and we want to continue to give people reasons to be down there.
As of May 11, no hours have been implemented regarding Clarksville’s new Downtown Entertainment District. Those will be established by the city.