In many cities, public drinking areas have been approved quickly and with little debate. In Waynesville, NC, the effort took years. Many residents expressed concerns about public drunkenness, crime, and an erosion of Waynesville’s image as a family-friendly destination.
A combination of temporary programs, public meetings, and resident and business surveys paved the way to establishing permanent social districts in June. The most effective tool, says Beth Gilmore, executive director of the Downtown Waynesville Commission, was temporary districts.
Waynesville had allowed temporary social districts for special events such as the Ice Block Party, an ice sculpture event that takes place in January.
“We’ve not had any problems result from the social district, and overall, you see people just strolling around with drinks, stopping to admire the activities and ice sculptures, and going in and out of businesses.”
The next order of business is for the town council to approve sign designs for the social district. Color-coded signs will indicate which businesses are opting in or out of the program.
More on social districts and other placemaking tools appears regularly in Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
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