‘Fairhope Entertainment District’ fails in 2-2 council vote

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Last week, the Fairhope City Council split 2-2 on a vote that would have created an entertainment district in downtown Fairhope which would have allowed for outside alcoholic beverage drinking during certain special events.

The call for the creation of a downtown entertainment district began again recently following a crackdown by Alabama’s ABC board back in December, when seven businesses in Fairhope were fined for allowing open containers outside of the business.

During the meeting, several residents spoke out against the proposed entertainment district.

“Fairhope prides itself as being a family-friendly town,” resident Billy Wise said. “It is difficult for me to understand how allowing alcohol to be openly consumed on the city streets would contribute to a family-friendly environment. Having drunks tipping over baby carriages on the city streets does not constitute a family-friendly environment.”

Retired pastor Jerry Henry echoed Wise’s concerns.

“I encourage you not to pass this and keep our family-friendly atmosphere here,” Henry said. “I don’t want Fairhope Avenue becoming a Bourbon Street.”

Council President Jack Burrell said the open containers would only be allowed one hour before and one hour after special events downtown, such as Mardi Gras parades.

In order for the ordinance to be allowed to come up for a vote, Burrell had to temporarily pass the chairman’s gavel to Councilman Jay Robinson so that Burrell could second the motion to bring the ordinance forward.

Councilman Jimmy Conyers said if the ordinance was for 24/7 open containers downtown, he would be against it, but that he saw this as a way to protect downtown businesses from being fined.

“People are doing this anyway during those specific events, but the people being punished are the owners of these establishments,” Conyers said. “It’s more about protecting some of our establishments.”

Burrell agreed.

“I don’t think this lends itself to binge drinking and a bunch of debauchery,” Burrell said. “It gives people the right to do what they’re already doing.”

Councilman Kevin Boone said he didn’t see any reason to institute a law that would allow alcohol on the streets of Fairhope.

Robinson said he had been torn about how to vote on the issue.

“I’ve been kind of on the fence about it,” Robinson said. “I don’t know what impact it truly would have. Because I don’t have strong feelings one way or another, I’ve interacted with dozens of residents in the city and the response I’ve gotten has been overwhelmingly negative in response to this. I think that’s the decision make for me. I’m not in favor of it at this time.”

The vote then split 2-2 due to the absence of Councilman Robert Brown.

The ordinance could be revisited and voted on again in 60 days if the council chooses to take it up again.