City considers allowing open container 7 days a week in downtown Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Less than a year after rules went into effect allowing open container in downtown Clarksville, there’s a push to allow it seven days a week.

City officials are reviewing an ordinance that would change the times for alcoholic beverage consumption in the downtown entertainment district. The City of Clarksville Public Safety Committee presented the ordinance to the City Council on Thursday.

Original ordinance 

An ordinance amending the city code took effect on Nov. 4, 2021, allowing alcoholic beverages obtained from a licensed business to be consumed on public streets, rights-of-way, and sidewalks within the entertainment district during certain times.

Currently, drinks containing alcohol can be consumed every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. In addition, alcoholic beverages can be consumed in the district on the first Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m.

Entertainment district

City Councilperson Stacey Streetman said she was contacted by several businesses in the entertainment district regarding the current ordinance.

“They asked for a change in those hours,” Streetman said. “We had talked about after a few months looking at it (the ordinance) again to see if we needed to have some different hours.”

The ordinance presented to the council on Thursday would change the hours to 3 to 10 p.m. every day, seven days a week.

“This way it still ends it (hours) at an early time so it doesn’t disrupt those living in our downtown.”

Police chief: What next?

Clarksville Chief of Police David Crockarell was asked by Streetman to share his opposing view on the change in hours.

“I was against this in the beginning and I’m against it now,” Crockarell said. “I don’t know of any person in law enforcement that would want people walking the streets with alcohol in their hand.”

Crockarell noted he knew there would be amendment to the original ordinance. He says he is worried about the future and what could be next.

“What will it be next time? Three to midnight? Three to 3 a.m.?”

Crockarell says he understands why people feel it’s a good opportunity for downtown, however, he notes officers’ safety is a concern.