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Jeffersontown council hears experiences from three cities on downtown 'entertainment destination center' concept
Summary
Representatives from Elizabethtown, Frankfort and Owensboro told Jeffersontown City Council members that entertainment destination center (EDC) programs increased foot traffic and tourism in their downtowns and produced few policing or trash problems; Jeffersontown council kept the EDC item in committee for further review.
Members of the Jeffersontown City Council heard a panel of municipal staff from three Kentucky cities on Aug. 19 about how an entertainment destination center (EDC) has worked in their downtowns.
The presentations were led by Jessica Graham, city clerk and alcohol administrator for the City of Elizabethtown; Blair Hecker, communications manager and former community engagement coordinator for the City of Frankfort; and Tim Ross, director of public events for the City of Owensboro. Matt (council member and member of the Economic Development Committee) introduced the guests and said the committee asked them to share their experiences.
The visitors described start-up timelines, public-safety planning and business impacts. "We took on an EDC. We started talking about it in '22... we implemented it in June 2023, and we have not had any issues," Jessica Graham said of Elizabethtown's district. Blair Hecker said Frankfort received its permit in 2020 but, because of COVID, did not open the zone until 2021; "it has been a success for our community," Hecker said, adding the program helped new and existing downtown businesses and boosted tourism. Tim Ross described Owensboro's experience with a phased rollout and local limits on days and times when drinks could be carried off premises; he said initial commissioner concerns about trash and unruly behavior had not materialized.
Panelists outlined common operational elements: a municipal license, clearly marked cups or stickers, a participant agreement requiring participating businesses to carry insurance, and education so customers know drinks must be bought within the EDC boundaries. Graham said Elizabethtown partners with its tourism office and that tourism pays the license fee and helps cover cup costs. Hecker said Frankfort initially purchased branded cups and later switched to stickers and clear cups purchased by businesses.
On costs, Frankfort's Hecker and Owensboro's Ross said policing and trash pickup had been handled within existing special-event budgets rather than creating recurring overtime for police or extra trash pickups. "We already have a pretty big special event season... and we did this prior to implementing our EDC," Hecker said of planning that accommodated policing and cleanup costs. Ross said Owensboro initially limited off-premises carrying to weekends and special events, then expanded the time frame after problems failed to materialize.
Council members asked about implementation details, liability and time frames. No formal action was taken at the meeting; the council kept the EDC item in committee for further review and indicated staff and council members would continue developing details.
The council did not set a schedule for a vote; council members indicated they will reconvene the Economic Development Committee to determine next steps and involve public safety staff in any future site planning.
