ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request for Direction on Potential Changes to the RIVERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT Rules and Regulations. (District 1)
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City Council created the "Riverfront Entertainment District" (RED) pilot program via ordinance 16,550 in 2010. The ordinance allowed the closure of public rights-of-way for the purposes of street festivals in a area bounded by Hamilton Boulevard, the Illinois River, State Street and Water Street (inclusive of all buildings facing Water Street). A map of the RED is attached. Council removed the pilot status of the program via ordinance 16,666 in 2011 and in 2012 extended the hours of operation via ordinance 16,864. The most recent ordinance is attached as is the RED application form.
The ordinance further allows licensed liquor establishments within the RED to serve and sell alcohol within these rights-of-way provided that the area of consumption is fenced off and security is provided. The RED concept has been popular and staff is seeking direction on how the program should be expanded or altered. For example, in 2014 a request was made to close all of Water Street to accommodate a festival that took up the entire street from Main Street to State Street. Since fencing that entire area was impractical and would have prevented through traffic accessing the river front parking lots and businesses, staff had to process the event as a "public event" and make allowances for the carrying and consumption of alcohol within the festival. This episode prompted staff to begin considering potential changes to the RED ordinance.
Staff is seeking initial direction from the City Council regarding this effort prior to investing staff time in researching other municipalities, seeking public input, and drafting ordinances. Some potential questions to contemplate:
1. Should the RED boundaries be extended?
2. Should patrons be allowed to carry alcohol from one block to the next within the RED? This would essentially create an "open carry" zone within this part of Peoria. Should such a zone be limited to the RED or incorporate more of downtown?
3. How should the City's noise ordinance be enforced? There are three mixed-use residential buildings along Water Street and the current regulations are unclear.
4. Should the fees be revisited for using the rights of way? Currently, the fees range from $100-250 per month for the privilege of using the rights of way.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: To the extent that an expanded RED program attracts more patrons, the City would receive additional tax revenues.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Unknown. Staff would suggest that a critical part of this discussion be community and stakeholder input through the Downtown Advisory Commission and Riverfront Policy and Programming Committee.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Staff will proceed with research and soliciting public input.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The RED ordinance will remain as it is.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER:
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Vibrant Downtown: Riverfront/ Central Business District/ Warehouse District
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office