Open drinking in Atlanta? Historic South Downtown could be the first

The scattered development encompasses 57 buildings across roughly 16 acres of the neighborhood between Underground Atlanta, Five Points MARTA station and Centennial Yards. But the open container district would include the surrounding historic neighborhood, once considered the center city with Atlanta’s Terminal Station, Hotel Row and a bustling shopping corridor.

It also sits just a six-minute walk to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in one direction and to Atlanta City Hall and the Georgia State Capitol in another. World Cup games will be played at Mercedes-Benz.

“I believe South Downtown is where a lot of our city’s activity is going to be, not just with World Cup, but also in the years beyond,” said Dozier, who represents the area. “It’s a way to plant a flag that downtown is a destination.”

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

The legislation was held in committee at Dozier’s request so additional changes could be made before a full council vote.

But he pointed to other cities that already capitalize on open drinking, the most well-known arguably being Savannah’s open container district that stretches from Hutchinson Island and the waterfront to the south edge of Forsyth Park.

Metro Atlanta cities that have entertainment districts include Alpharetta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Decatur, Dunwoody, Marietta, Smyrna and Tucker.

“I imagine if this happens, and there’s going to be other parts of the city who want to do it too,” he said.

April Stammel handles retail leasing within the 10-block South Downtown development. She said the goal is to create a “walkable, people-oriented” neighborhood where patrons can move easily between small businesses or visit the new park slated to open in the spring with a drink in hand.

“It really is inspired by having a dozen restaurants who are all rooting for each other and cheering each other on,” she said. “It would be great if we could show, as an example in downtown, how this could activate and bring another dimension to the experience.”

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration has hinted at establishing open container areas before.

City officials are eager to increase the estimated $500 million in economic impact from the World Cup games by convincing visitors to stay an extra day or two.

Dickens described the goal to other metro area officials at a FIFA planning meeting last April, saying that one extra night stay in a hotel or a few extra meals at local restaurants could have a big impact on revenue generated by the event.

“If we can continue to make our region shine and give them things to do, they won’t just come for the match; they’ll come for a couple of days ahead or a couple of days thereafter,” Dickens said.

Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Burks followed the mayor’s comments by listing some of the legislation being considered by the city, which included open container districts.

“We are starting to have conversations around open container,” she said. “Do we create special entertainment districts where you have open containers that stay within a certain area — instead of people trying to sneak around and do it?”

Burks also suggested expanding pouring hours during the tournament.

“We’ve got to get to that $1.5 billion,” she said.

Around 300,000 visitors are expected downtown from mid-June to mid-July for eight games — including a coveted semifinal match. With less than 140 days until the event, local elected officials are up against a tight timeline.

Zachary Perry, an attorney in the Atlanta public defender’s office, spoke in favor of the legislation. He argued during a recent committee meeting that laws prohibiting drinking in public often target low-income residents who can’t afford to visit a bar or restaurant.

“It’s often criminalizing conduct that I imagine many of the people in this room have engaged in themselves — taking a glass of wine when you’re walking your dog, hanging out with some friends at a park (or) walking along the Beltline with a beverage,” he said.