Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Entertainment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission gives first reading to ordinance to expand downtown entertainment district
Summary
The board held first reading of Ordinance 25-21 to allow carry-out alcoholic beverages in the downtown entertainment district from Thursday 11 a.m. through Sunday 1 a.m. and to transfer ABC permit authority to the city attorney; the ordinance was moved for discussion but not adopted at this meeting.
The Richmond City Board of Commissioners heard a first reading of Ordinance 25-21, a proposal to amend the rules for the downtown entertainment destination center.
City staff summarized the ordinance, saying it would permanently activate the downtown entertainment district for adult beverages from Thursday at 11 a.m. through Sunday at 1 a.m., with exceptions outside those hours to be handled through a permit process. The ordinance would also transfer the ABC-permit approval role from the city manager to the ABC administrator (to be the city attorney), per the clerk's reading.
The mayor asked for a motion to bring the ordinance to the floor for discussion; Commissioner Newby moved and Commissioner Cole seconded. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about hours and the effect on special events such as the Millstone Festival and the Christmas parade; the city manager said those events would not need a separate activation if the ordinance is adopted.
This meeting recorded only a first reading and a motion to discuss; no adoption vote was recorded during the session. The ordinance summary in the record states that, if adopted at second reading and published as required, it would become effective immediately upon enactment and publication.
What happens next: the ordinance remains at first reading and would require a second reading and formal adoption in a future meeting before taking effect.
