The Eureka Springs City Council’s first workshop on the subject of a proposed permanent entertainment district for a section of downtown drew a variety of opinions.
The workshop, held Wednesday, March 25, saw 18 members of the public voice their opinion on the proposal, which would establish a daily district until 10 p.m. each day for a pre-established section of downtown.
Approximately half of those who spoke were against the proposal, which first came about at suggestion of Kolin Paulk, owner of Spring on Main, in conjunction with the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has since developed a proposed ordinance as a guide for the recommended structure of a district.
Other organizations in town, including the city advertising and promotion commission, have voiced support for the proposal.
“The chamber became aware that a member was interested in creating an entertainment district and had begun bringing that idea forward during council meetings,” chamber of commerce representative Devin Henderson told council members at the workshop. “We also heard the feedback and concerns expressed by council during those discussions. In response, we felt it was important to bring people together in a more collaborative way. We invited those who were proposing the idea, along with the individuals who have successfully organized and managed temporary entertainment districts here in Eureka Springs in the past, to come to the table.
“Through a series of thoughtful and careful discussions, including input from city leadership, the police chief and the director of public works, we’ve worked to shape something that reflects those conversations and addresses the concerns that were raised. What we’re presenting today is the result of that collaborative process. I want to be very clear, this proposal is not about increasing activity. It’s about creating a structured, enforceable framework around activity that already exists today. This is about adding clarity, accountability and consistency. It’s not about loosening standards.”
The key to a successful district in Eureka Springs is limiting it to a strictly defined area approved by the council, Henderson said. The area in the proposed ordinance was approved by police chief Billy Floyd, Henderson said; however, a finalized area could be altered as the council sees fit.
“The district would be limited to a clearly defined area designed in coordination with our police chief. It’s not city-wide,” Henderson said. “It would operate under set hours ending at 10 p.m., with the only exception being the already established New Year’s Eve event. We have important safeguards. No outside alcohol allowed, a required wristband system for participation, all ID checks and underage drinking laws remain fully enforced, existing noise ordinances and public intoxication laws remain unchanged, and any special events still require permits and city approval.”
Three representatives of downtown establishments said they were either in favor or neutral on the issue, but felt the area excluded too many businesses.
Representatives of the Cathouse Lounge and Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant said the proposed district ends at Benton Street and doesn’t include the restaurants and bars on the southern end of Main Street.
Anthony Christopher, owner of Eureka Live, shared a similar view, saying the proposal doesn’t include the area of his business, which is also surrounded by parking lots on Main Street where visitors to the district would likely have to park.
Henderson addressed the concerns.
“A big part of why the limited district is what it is, is because we wanted to make sure that this was going to be the most safe and effective district in town,” he said. “Because of that, we made sure to consult our police chief …. basically Benton Street and Mountain Street, a big part of it is, those are emergency access routes, and I can tell you, when I was talking with Chief, when we were talking with Chief, … he wasn’t thinking ‘this business will be left out’ and ‘let’s not put it here because of that business.’ His sole concern was pedestrian traffic and how that interacted with vehicles. …”
FOR AND AGAINST
Issues for those who spoke against the proposal included a lack of bathroom facilities in the downtown area that are regularly open, possible extra trash on the streets and unsafe sidewalks that could lead to more injuries if used by individuals who are drinking more alcohol.
Others said, regardless of how the proposal turns out, they would like to see a vote of city residents — not just a council decision.
Those who spoke in favor mentioned Eureka Springs keeping up with other tourism-driven communities that already have entertainment districts and safeguards that are part of the proposal if approved.
“I think it’s important in tourism to stay relevant and stay current,” said Jack Moyer, general manager of the Basin Park and Crescent hotels, who added that having a district seven days a week — and not just on a weekend — would help with the planning of more frequent events.
COUNCIL WEIGHS IN
Harry Meyer, the most vocal opponent on the council to a permanent district, again brought up his opinions of more underage drinking slipping through the cracks and individuals being over-served.
Meyer said the issue should be put to a vote of the people, as it did the last time the council narrowly approved a permanent district before it was overturned by voters.
“We’ve heard a lot of fors and againsts, and I don’t think there’s any doubt where I stand on this,” Meyer said. “I think it should go to the public, since the public turned it down last time, and that’s how we got here …”
For council member Rachael Moyer, the issue is about “economic benefit versus possible negative impacts,” she said, adding that other cities use certain kinds of wristbands and systems that help prevent underage drinking and other potential issues.
Longtime council member Terry McClung said he’s in favor of the proposal.
“I’ve had more contact from citizens regarding this issue than I have anything in the past, both sides,” McClung said. “I’ve have people that are in favor of the entertainment district still wish to have it put to a vote of the citizenry because they just feel that’s the fair shake that it needs to have. So that’s kind of the way I’m leaning …
“You know, we have to try and stay on top of our game. The competition regionally and nationally, in the tourism industry, has grown exponentially. Everybody’s wanting to get in the game, because it’s, for the most part, good clean money. It generates good clean revenue. It’s not a polluting type of industry … So, I’d like to see it happen, but it has to be done the right way. … Whether it would pass or not, I can’t say, but I feel it would have to go back out to citizens.”
McClung added that he doesn’t think many issues raised by those who spoke, and by council members, would be a problem in reality.
“I don’t think it’s going to have near the dynamic effect everyone is afraid of or suggesting one way or the other,” McClung said. “I don’t think we’re going to turn into Deadwood, South Dakota, during the silver and gold rush. I don’t think that’s going to happen. …”
ANOTHER WORKSHOP?
After many voiced concerns that the 3 p.m. workshop on March 25 didn’t allow many working people a chance to come voice their opinion on the issue, council members discussed having another session on the topic.
However, another workshop had yet to be announced as of Wednesday, April 1.
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