Powder Springs is on its way to becoming the fourth Cobb County city to allow visitors to an area of its downtown to carry out alcoholic beverages from restaurants.
Powder Springs City Council members at their Feb. 18 meeting approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing an entertainment district where carrying open drinks would be allowed. The district would be bound by Jackson Way Extension to the north and Hotel Road to the south. The western boundary will be Pineview Drive and Murray Avenue, and Oak View Drive and Lewis Road will serve as the eastern boundary.
The ordinance would allow customers to take away alcoholic beverages from restaurants and breweries licensed for on-premise consumption. Drinks must be served in paper or plastic cups no larger than 16 ounces, and can only be served between 5 p.m. and midnight during the week and 11 a.m. and midnight on weekends.
Other Cobb cities that have similar ordinances in place include Kennesaw, Smyrna and Acworth.
City Manager Pam Conner said the proposed district was introduced as a “proactive” way for Powder Springs to prepare itself for the changes expected to take place when downtown redevelopment projects are complete.
One project includes redeveloping the city’s old town square and installing a new central park featuring a pedestrian mall, children’s play area, a live performance stage, water sculpture and parking. The city’s Downtown Development Authority is expected to break ground on the second phase of the project in the spring, and the amenity should open by early 2020.
Another project calls for developer Randy Hardy to revamp the Country Store at 4455 Marietta Street to house retail, storage and woodworking uses. And Nick and Amanda Robertson will be opening Hawg’s Best Friend mobile food service concept at 4484 Marietta Street.
Conner said there have been general questions about whether Powder Springs would consider such a district.
“It was an attempt to open the conversation, have that dialogue and be responsive to those questions,” she said of the introduction of the district.
No person will be allowed to carry out more than one beverage at a time, and the alcohol must be consumed within the boundaries of the district. Patrons will not be allowed to take those drinks to their vehicles or drink them on property used as a church, daycare facility or school.
While the proposed district is scheduled to come up for a second and final reading at the March 4 City Council meeting, city leaders could delay the initiative to allow for additional comments to be gathered on the matter. The March 4 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, which is at 4488 Pineview Drive.
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