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St. Albans POTA District Near Old Main Readied; ABCA Sign-Off Next
Summary
Mayor Scott James said the city has established a POTA (public outdoor designated area) on Old Main Street and expects final approval after signage is installed and Alcohol Beverage Control inspects the site.
Mayor Scott James said the city has defined a Public Outdoor Designated Area (POTA) that covers Old Main Street and nearby blocks and that the program will allow festivalgoers to carry open containers within the district once state alcohol regulators approve signage.
On the podcast, James explained the POTA footprint: “Right now, our POTA district runs from Third Street up, Main Street to Old Main, down to B Street. It goes down to C Street there where those poles are outside of Drummies.” He said the city plans to use POTA on selected events and not as a standing, daily permit.
Why it matters: POTA changes how alcohol may be carried and consumed in public during designated events, affects downtown businesses and festival logistics and requires state regulatory sign-off.
James said the remaining step is signage: “At the beginning of the POTA District And at the end of the POTA District, go sign have signage that says, St. Albans POTA district begins here. And then another sign saying St. Albans POTA district ends here. And they're being made up.” He added that the state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA) will inspect and that, pending approval, the city will pilot POTA at future events such as Yacht Fest and select Friday nights.
The mayor said the city has consulted with Charleston about how businesses operate under POTA and plans to limit POTA to particular events so merchants can benefit without long-term street-level alcohol sales.
Ending: James said the city will publish event notices once the ABCA completes its inspection and the signs are installed.
