WALNUT CREEK — Looking for to uplift small companies, an leisure zone could possibly be coming to downtown Walnut Creek that will allow established retailers to promote alcohol for public consumption throughout particular occasions.
The concept, introduced ahead by the Walnut Creek Downtown Association, has been spreading throughout the Bay Space. Related zones have been established in San Francisco and San Jose, and are being thought of in Mountain View and Santa Clara.
Cities are allowed to create so-called “leisure zones” attributable to Senate Invoice 969. The laws adopted in 2024 permits jurisdictions to create areas the place patrons should purchase an alcoholic drink from a brick-and-mortar enterprise and eat that drink within the public right-of-way.
“There’s been a variety of success in activation of the streets and bringing communities collectively,” Financial Improvement Supervisor Mike Nimon mentioned about San Francisco’s success throughout a council assembly Tuesday.
How the leisure zone will work will probably be specified by a administration plan that will probably be dropped at the Metropolis Council for a vote within the close to future. The plan should embrace info like safety protocols, sanitation measures, how ages will probably be verified and different tips for collaborating companies.
A draft plan submitted by the Walnut Creek Downtown Affiliation envisions a zone sure by North California Boulevard, Civic Drive, North Broadway and Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
The zone can be activated for particular one-day occasions and companies must maintain a sound license with the state Alcoholic Beverage Management Division and be in good standing with the company earlier than registering to take part, based on the draft plan.
The plan at present is to activate the zone twice a 12 months, in the course of the annual Locust Street Festival, Walnut Creek Downtown Affiliation Govt Director Kathy Hemmenway mentioned Tuesday. The competition will probably be held from 5 p.m. to eight:30 p.m. July 8 and August 5 this 12 months.
“We see it as a extremely constructive, trendy approach to assist our small companies and have the ability to exceed their each day income and have the ability to proceed to place Walnut Creek out in entrance as a regional vacation spot,” Hemmenway mentioned.
Extra occasions could possibly be hosted within the zone if the affiliation needed, and completely different leisure zones could possibly be created in different components of town if a nonprofit sponsor seeks to determine one, Nimon mentioned.
The zones at the moment are permitted because of a brand new ordinance adopted unanimously by councilmembers Tuesday. That ordinance established leisure zones as a two-year pilot program that will probably be reconsidered earlier than it sunsets.
Some particulars should must be labored out, like how the affiliation would guarantee companies which are solely licensed to promote beer and wine should not promoting combined drinks throughout an occasion, Hemmenway mentioned.
Companies are accountable for abiding by their license, Nimon mentioned, noting he hasn’t heard of comparable points in different areas with leisure zones.
Wristbands will must be issued to folks of authorized ingesting age and collaborating companies will probably be required to confirm that prospects are 21 years outdated or older earlier than promoting them alcohol, per a brand new leisure zone ordinance.
“The principles are clear. The adherence to the principles are all the time a query,” Councilmember Cindy Silva mentioned.
Alcohol gross sales have lengthy been a part of the Locust Road Competition, however have been solely managed by the Walnut Creek Downtown Affiliation and volunteers operating the cubicles, Hemmenway mentioned.
By establishing an leisure zone, Hemmenway mentioned town can be increasing the variety of eyes and ears masking the occasion by partnering with companies and their workers who will probably be skilled on occasion protocols.
Responding to questions round enforcement of alcohol consumption legal guidelines, Police Chief Ryan Hibbs mentioned he has no main considerations. The division has met with the Walnut Creek Downtown Affiliation on its proposal and has by no means had points throughout previous occasions, he mentioned.
“Our place on that is that Walnut Creek Downtown has thought this out fairly totally,” Hibbs mentioned. “I’m very assured if we had been to lift points that they might be addressed promptly.”
