Spadafore Social District Proposal Moves Out of Committee
This week, the City of Lansing Committee on City Operations moved out Councilmember Spadafore's proposal to bring Social Districts to the City of Lansing.
On July 1, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 5781 into law creating the Social District Permit. The bill allows the governing body of a local governmental unit to designate a Social District within its jurisdiction. Qualified bars and restaurants whose licensed premises are contiguous to the established commons area within a Social District, and that have been approved for and issued a Social District Permit, may sell alcoholic liquor (beer, wine, mixed spirit drink, spirits, or mixed drinks) on their licensed premises to customers who may then consume the beverage within the commons area of the Social District.
This new licensing option allows bars and restaurants to utilize outdoor spaces to increase their capacity–a key concern as our community continues to grapple with capacity limits necessitated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many cities across Michigan have had great success with Social Districts and Lansing learned from their experiences to craft a comprehensive Management and Maintenance Plan to ensure compliance with all laws and an attention to public safety.
The proposal before the Lansing City Council establishes three distinct Social Districts with commons areas in each. The initial Social Districts are in the Lansing Downtown, REO Town, and Old town, with their respective business organizations assuming much of the management responsibilities.
Establishments in the Downtown Social District that are eligible to apply to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission include: American Fifth Spirits, 112 N. Larch St; Bowdie’s Chophouse, 320 E. Michigan Ave.; Courtyard by Marriott Lansing Downtown, 600 E. Michigan Ave.; Duke's Saloon, 414 E. Michigan Ave.; EnVie, 210 S. Washington Sq.; The Exchange of Lansing, 414 E. Michigan Ave.; Kelly's Downtown, 220 S. Washington Sq.; Lansing Brewing Company, 518 E. Shiawassee St.; Cooley Law School Stadium, 505 E. Michigan Ave.; Lansing Center 333 E. Michigan Ave.; The Loft of Lansing, 414 E. Michigan Ave.; MichiGrain Distillery, 523 E. Shiawassee St.; Midtown Brewing Company, 402 S. Washington Sq.; MP Social, 313 N. Cedar St.; Nuthouse Sports Grill, 420 E. Michigan Ave.; Radisson Hotel Capitol City Grille, 111 N. Grand Ave.; Tin Can Taproom, 410 E. Michigan Ave.; Tavern & Tap, 111 E. Michigan Ave.; The Tin Can, 414 E. Michigan Ave.; Trōppo, 111 E. Michigan Ave.
Establishments in the Old Town Social District that are eligible to apply to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission include: Punk Taco & The Cosmos Pizza, 1200 N. Larch St.; Esquire Bar 1250 Turner St.; MEAT, 1224 Turner St.; Ozone’s Brewhouse, 305 Beaver St.; Grand Cafe Sir Pizza 201, E. Cesar Chavez Ave.; The Grid Arcade & Bar 226, E. Cesar Chavez Ave.; Unicorn Lounge, 327 E. Cesar Chavez Ave.; Urbanbeat, 1213 Turner St.; Zoobies Old Town Tavern, 1200 N. Larch St.
Establishments in the REO Town Social District that are eligible to apply to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission include: Ellison Brewery& Spirits, 1341 S. Washington; REO Town Pub, 1145 S. Washington; Sleepwalks Spirits & Ale, 1101 S. Washington; The Rusty Mug Bar & Grill REO Town, 1210 S. Washington.
Upon approval by the Lansing City Council, the Lansing Social District Plan heads to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for review. Visit the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs page on Social Districts to learn more.
View the entire Social District Plan using the file below.
