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Board approves Bridal Town Center social district over one commissioner’s objection
Summary
By a 4–1 vote the board designated a new social district at the Bengal/Bridal Town Center, extending downtown‑style open‑container rules to a private mixed‑use development and delegating operations to the property owners’ association.
The Fuquay Varina Town Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a social district at the Bridal (Bengal) Town Center after deliberation and a 4–1 roll call.
Deputy Town Manager Jim Seymour presented the request from property owner David Ball and explained state law allows municipalities to create social districts and to designate a private association to manage operations on the town’s behalf. The proposed district covers the Bengal Town Center mixed‑use area—restaurants and retail near Northeast Judd Parkway, the site of an upcoming True by Hilton hotel—and would operate daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., mirroring hours already used in the town’s downtown social district.
Seymour told the board the town would inspect the area before operation to ensure required signage, trash/recycling receptacles and operational controls are in place. He said law enforcement and alcohol enforcement authority remain with the Fuquay Varina Police Department and the ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement).
Commissioner Harris moved to table the request pending quantitative evidence of social districts’ economic and public‑safety impacts; that motion did not get a majority. Commissioner Adcock and others said they supported the proposal, citing the developer’s investment and the need for destinations that support local businesses. Chief Smith reported no enforcement issues had arisen in the existing downtown social district and said he had no concerns with the management plan presented.
After the vote, Mayor Massingale announced the ordinance passed 4–1. The board also adopted a management and maintenance plan delegating marketing and day‑to‑day operational tasks to the Bengal Town Center owners association; enforcement of alcohol laws will remain the responsibility of the police department.
