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Sound Off:
What do you think about adding more festival districts to Kansas City?
KANSAS CITY, MO. -
Business owners in Westport have said the Power & Light District has an unfair advantage when it comes to selling alcohol. But, that's changing.
Gov. Nixon signed a bill allowing festival districts to sell alcohol within a district. So, the Power & Light District won't be the only place party-goers can carry a drink outside.
But, there are some rules in the new bill:
1) The city must have a public hearing on the festival and get written approval from half of the business owners in the area
2) No minors can be allowed in the festival district during the event serving liquor
3) The district can only have 25 events per year, and only 2 per month.
4) The event can only last 48 hours
The festival district bill goes into effect at the end of August. It expires in two years.
"We are very excited, been working on it a long time its very positive thing for Westport," said John Engleman, executive director of the Westport Business League. He says that business has suffered over the past year since the opening of the Power and Light District downtown, the introduction of the smoking ban and a sagging economy.
The hope is that, at least a few times a year, that people will enjoy a different Westport.
"Instead of having a beverage outside and having to throw it away before you walk inside, you'll be able to buy a beverage inside and then go to another establishment or go outside," said Engleman. "It's a start. (It) won't put us on a level playing field but will take a step that direction."
Gov. Nixon signed a bill allowing festival districts to sell alcohol within a district. So, the Power & Light District won't be the only place party-goers can carry a drink outside.
But, there are some rules in the new bill:
1) The city must have a public hearing on the festival and get written approval from half of the business owners in the area
2) No minors can be allowed in the festival district during the event serving liquor
3) The district can only have 25 events per year, and only 2 per month.
4) The event can only last 48 hours
The festival district bill goes into effect at the end of August. It expires in two years.
"We are very excited, been working on it a long time its very positive thing for Westport," said John Engleman, executive director of the Westport Business League. He says that business has suffered over the past year since the opening of the Power and Light District downtown, the introduction of the smoking ban and a sagging economy.
The hope is that, at least a few times a year, that people will enjoy a different Westport.
"Instead of having a beverage outside and having to throw it away before you walk inside, you'll be able to buy a beverage inside and then go to another establishment or go outside," said Engleman. "It's a start. (It) won't put us on a level playing field but will take a step that direction."
