Special events district gains approval

Published 8:02 pm Monday, July 17, 2017

Downtown Cullman is about to take a more laid back approach to alcohol — that is, when the city says so.

On Monday, the Cullman City Council approved an expanded special events district where alcohol can be consumed openly during city-sanctioned functions.

The original district encompasses Depot Park, the Festhalle and parking lot behind the Cullman County Museum. The new district will span seven city blocks, running between the railroad tracks and Second Avenue Southeast, from the Cullman Police Department parking lot to Busy Bee Cafe at Fifth Street Southeast.

The special zone allows for alcohol sales and open containers in public areas, like sidewalks, however Cullman officials retain the power to “open” and “close” the district between events.

City Attorney Roy Williams noted that the entire district may not be open for all events, that in some cases, only a portion of the district would be open. 

Joe Wilhite, who voiced his opposition to the expanding district at the Cullman Planning Commission’s public hearing July 10, returned again Monday to reiterate his disapproval. He was the only person in attendance who voiced opposition to the plan.

“If (a) person gets killed because we had a party in our town, then the blood is on your hands,” Wilhite said. “I was a teenager once, and I drank. But I didn’t ask the city to let me tote my beer out on the street. I just don’t think it’s right.”

Waid Harbison with city parks and recreation and downtown businessman Ron Pierce spoke in favor of the district, with Harbison stating since the first district was implemented, he knew of only one incident where Cullman police had to deal with an intoxicated person. 

“Our police department does a wonderful job. This isn’t something we have a problem with,” Harbison said. “People are incredibly responsible when they are coming and drinking. Within that district, we haven’t had any problems with people being drunk or disorderly or DUIs.”

“The main reason why we’re trying to expand the district is to include areas down to the Busy Bee Cafe. We’ve had events this year alone that have brought in close to 50,000 people.”

An expanded special events district will mean more pedestrians attempting to cross bustling U.S. 278 — facing 18-wheelers and farm trucks tearing through the heart of downtown. How to safely get people across the busy highway from Depot Park to other businesses and shops on the other side will be no easy task, but officials say they are looking at the issue.

Since enacting the district in 2013, a visitor to a local festival like Oktoberfest can buy a beer at Festhalle, then walk over to Depot Park to shop or view exhibits. But, when there are no events taking place, the blocks revert back to a normal downtown area under a normal, no-open container law.

The city has direct control over alcohol sales, with the Park and Recreation Board as the only designated vendor allowed to sell alcohol in the zone. The park board sub-licenses vendors to handle alcohol sales at events, such as Oktoberfest, if they meet all pre-existing requirements as a vendor.

The proposal to expand the special events district received an unanimous positive recommendation from the Cullman Planning Commission at its meeting July 10.  

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.