The Raleigh City Council on Sept. 16 directed staff to proceed with ordinance changes to create the city’s second social district — a pedestrian area where patrons can buy an alcoholic beverage from a participating permittee and consume it within a defined public boundary — at Seaboard Station.

The request was brought by Hoffman and Associates, the site owner and developer. Whitney Schonfeld of the city’s Special Events team described the state statute that authorizes “social districts,” the city’s existing downtown Sip and Stroll program and the applicant’s outreach to businesses and nearby institutions. Staff said businesses that would opt in include several bars and restaurants; Starbucks had chosen not to participate because it is an international brand with its own corporate policies.

Council members asked about enforcement, operating hours and equity questions. Councilor Jones asked staff to report back on concerns raised by the Substance Use Advisory Commission about how the district would interact with adjacent blocks where open container is still a misdemeanor. “That is something that bubbles up to the top for me,” she said, adding it was important to consider how the district looks a block away where drinking can be unlawful.

Councilor Silver asked about hours; Schonfeld said the proposed 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule mirrors downtown rules and keeps the program out of the late‑night nightlife window. Councilors also discussed whether businesses in the nearby 111 Seaboard building — which Hoffman does not own — would be included. Hoffman’s representative said they had reached out and had not heard back from that owner; councilors asked staff to continue outreach and to report back before the final ordinance vote.

Council agreed by voice vote to move the proposal forward; staff will draft ordinance language and return it for formal adoption after continued business outreach, signage and ABC Commission registration steps are completed. If adopted, the new district would operate on city‑maintained streets (Franklin Street and Seaboard Avenue) and private drives within Seaboard Station and would follow the operating rules used in downtown Sip and Stroll, including vendor signage and waste‑management requirements.

Details: State statute authorizes municipal social districts permitting on‑premise purchases to be carried and consumed within a designated public area. Staff reported no major quality‑of‑life concerns with the downtown pilot and said the Seaboard Station application included a waste‑management and security plan and business‑level opting procedures.