Owensboro commission approves ordinance letting patrons carry alcohol anytime alcohol is sold in entertainment district

The Owensboro City Commission on second reading approved Ordinance 10-2025, amending the municipal code to allow patrons in the downtown entertainment destination district to carry alcoholic beverages in the district’s designated containers whenever alcoholic beverages are sold.

City Manager said the ordinance removes a prior permit requirement that limited carry-in alcohol to certain weekdays; under the change, the carry-in privilege — commonly associated with the district’s green cups — will be allowed at all times alcohol is sold. “This ordinance allows patrons in the district downtown to carry alcohol in the green cups, Monday through Thursday, anytime,” City Manager said during the meeting, referring to the city’s existing weekend policy.

The commission voted by roll call; Commissioners Jeff Sanford, Sharon Nesmith, Curtis Maglinger, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Glenn and Mayor Tom Watson all voted yes. The clerk read the ordinance title aloud before the motion was made on second reading.

The ordinance amends Chapter 3, Article 3, Section 3-57 of the Owensboro Municipal Code to change when the entertainment-destination carry-in policy applies. City staff described the amendment as procedural, removing the permit requirement that previously limited weekday carry-in to permit holders. The ordinance was read for approval on second reading in August 2025 and then adopted by the commission.

The change affects downtown businesses and patrons who participate in the district’s carry-in program; the city did not discuss changes to enforcement, penalties, or hours of individual businesses during the public reading. The commission did not add or discuss related changes to alcohol licensing in the reading recorded in the transcript.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the vote.