CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City Council has voted in favor of simplifying the prescribed hours and days for to-go-cup drinking of alcoholic beverages within the entertainment district. While not an easy sell to the police chief or some city officials, the measure passed 7-5 Thursday night.
The ordinance changes times for to-go drinking in the entertainment district to 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. every day of the week. Previous times were Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. In addition, alcoholic beverages are allowed downtown on the first Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. during First Thursday Art Walk.
What does this mean?
“This is not an open container law,” said Councilperson Stacey Streetman during the meeting. “This has to do with the businesses and whether or not they can allow you to walk out of their establishment with alcohol. It’s literally in regard to that. There is no open container law in Clarksville, so it is not in any way governing that or anyone’s ability to enjoy their alcoholic beverage outside beyond the 10 p.m. time.”
Streetman noted these hours were first put in place to promote the entertainment district and provide a way for people to enjoy all the businesses downtown. She said changing the hours would help to establish consistency while continuing to promote downtown businesses.
“That’s why they’re asking for the consistency, so that it’s clear for them and not causing them to lose their license, which is a substantial part of their business, and clear for the consumer, so they don’t come in on a Wednesday night thinking it’s one thing, (and) come in on a Friday night thinking it’s another thing.”
Allen: ‘One more hour’
The measure was originally on the consent agenda, but was moved to new business following a request by Councilperson Wanda Allen, who later proposed an amendment. Allen wanted to extend the time from 10 to 11.
“I would like to amend this to 11 p.m. because that gives you some time,” Allen said, noting that people might enjoy going out later and ordering drinks.
Streetman responded that most of the businesses in the downtown area close at 10 p.m.
“This 10 p.m. time was brought to us by the businesses that are actually governed by this ordinance. On top of that, we heard (Police) Chief (David) Crockarell up here talking about it, and although he doesn’t like the idea of it going to every day, he did like the 10 p.m., so you do have the fair compromise,” Streetman said.
The amendment to extend the time to 11 p.m. failed with only five council members voting yes. Those in favor of the amendment included Brian Zacharias, Ambar Marquis, Allen, Karen Reynolds and Trisha Butler. Those opposed to the amendment were Vondell Richmond, Wallace Redd, Wanda Smith, Travis Holleman, Streetman, Joe Shakeenab and Mayor Joe Pitts.
The ordinance passed the second reading 7-5. Voting yes were Zacharias, Redd, Holleman, Allen, Reynolds, Streetman and Shakeenab. Voting no were Richmond, Pitts, Marquis, Smith and Butler.