CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville City Council has approved an ordinance allowing open containers in downtown Clarksville seven days a week.

The first reading was heard Thursday evening, and council members voted 7-5 in favor of the change.

Current hours for open containers downtown are 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.

The new hours would allow open containers seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“I had two business owners (reach out), and I’ve talked to other business owners, and they were very supportive of these hours,” said Councilperson Stacey Streetman, who sponsored the measure.

Failed amendments

Two amendments to the ordinance were presented at the meeting but failed.

The first amendment, presented by Councilperson Trisha Butler, added the words “shall not be further restricted.” Due to lack of clarity, the amendment did not move forward.

“I am wholeheartedly against this amendment. I’m supportive of people wanting to be able to come down and enjoy our downtown, but again, that 10 p.m. cutoff allows for people that live in the downtown not to be affected by something going on in the late hours,” Streetman said, also citing the police chief’s concerns from last week.

Councilperson Dajuan Little introduced an amendment that would move the hours later, from 3 p.m. to midnight, but that also failed.

“I feel like midnight is a good time to cut off everybody else’s drinks,” Little said. He also noted this would give patrons more time to visit local spots downtown.

How they voted

Voting yes on the ordinance were Streetman, Travis Holleman, Karen Reynolds, Joe Shakeenab, Wanda Smith, Brian Zacharias and Mayor Joe Pitts.

Voting no were Butler, Little, Wanda Allen, Ambar Marquis and Wallace Redd.

The change in hours will still require another vote on second reading at the next regular council meeting, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at One Public Square.