Commissioners hold first reading to expand downtown entertainment district hours

The Richmond City Board of Commissioners held the first reading of Ordinance 25-21 on Aug. 26, a proposal to amend the city's entertainment destination center rules to allow adult beverages to be carried in the downtown common areas on an ongoing basis.

City Manager (name not specified) summarized the ordinance, saying that downtown businesses requested permanent activation of the entertainment district and that the change would permit the district to be active Thursday at 11 a.m. through Sunday at 1 a.m.; activities outside those hours would still require a permit. The city manager told commissioners he had spoken with managers in other Kentucky cities where permanent entertainment districts operate and said, "I think we're okay with it."

Ordinance 25-21 would also shift the responsibility for approving ABC-related permits and transfers from the city manager to the city attorney, who would serve as the ABC administrator. Commissioners moved and seconded the item to bring it to the floor for discussion; the meeting recorded this as the first reading, not final adoption. The mayor said the ordinance will become effective immediately only after enactment following a second reading and publication in accordance with applicable law.

Why it matters: If adopted, the ordinance would change when and how downtown businesses can offer adult beverages in public common areas and would designate the city attorney as the local ABC administrator, altering administrative responsibility for permits.

What's next: The measure requires a second reading and formal enactment to take effect.