With the start of the new year, California is now giving cities and counties the green light to create entertainment zones where, among other things, people will be allowed to drink in public.
A number of Bay Area cities are already considering creating these zones, but are considering a number of issues – both for and against.
Santa Clara plans to create entertainment zones in its new downtown and upscale neighborhoods around Levi’s Stadium.
“We’re going to have a true entertainment district within an entertainment district for shopping, theaters, arts districts, uses that are really going to transcend with our convention center and our stadium,” said Mayor Lisa Gillmor . “There’s going to be synergy there.”
In a big city like San Jose, which already offers limited outdoor drinking on patios, some business owners said they worry about public safety if there is increased drinking in public . Citizens who said they enjoy coming downtown had mixed feelings, saying it’s all about policing alcohol consumption.
“I don’t think it’s a good thing because it’s going to cause conflicts, fights, and maybe people will get hurt,” Luis Rivera said.
Creating an entertainment zone is expensive, so while officials already have the pieces in place, they said they don’t plan to proceed until economic factors such as interest rates become more favorable .