Milwaukie council weighs limited downtown open‑container pilot; staff to seek OLCC guidance

Milwaukie city officials debated whether to allow open alcoholic containers in parts of downtown, with staff asking the City Council for direction to develop a more detailed, OLCC‑reviewable proposal.

City Manager Emma Sager and Police Chief Ryan Burdick told council members the concept under consideration would be implemented through the city’s event‑permit process and would require stronger insurance and staffing conditions than the city now requires for routine events. Chief Burdick said the idea "is a great opportunity, but it does, have some challenges associated with it," citing personnel needs, alcohol monitors, traffic control and liability questions.

The proposal grew from business‑community interest in increasing foot traffic along Main Street during events such as First Friday. Downtown business representatives said the intent is to allow patrons to move between businesses rather than cluster at a single outdoor beer garden. Andy Fisher, chair of the Downtown Alliance of Milwaukee, told council, "None of the events that we're looking at or any of the closures that we would be looking at would be looking at the entire swath," and said organizers expect to propose smaller,…