GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The City of Gladstone could soon offer a new way to enjoy and support local breweries.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is exploring the possibility of establishing a social district. A social district is a designated outdoor area where patrons can drink alcoholic beverages from approved businesses.
According to DDA Director Patricia West, the proposed project is still in the early stages.
“The municipality would need to come together to build out a management and maintenance plan, which would allow us to put some safeguards in place to address any concerns, like the ability to pause the social district during certain days where we’re looking for more of a youth-oriented event to take place,” West explained.
“Once we build that management and maintenance plan, that’s going to go before the City Commission, who would actually need to approve it. Then, we would submit our application with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.”
West believes a social district could provide a boost to the local economy.
“It would have a huge impact on placemaking in our town, really creating a more thriving, vibrant community where people not only come downtown to shop but they actually come downtown to stay and spend time with one another,” she said. “It also opens up the door for some of our underutilized or vacant commercial buildings in our business district, and it makes those more appealing to prospective business owners.”
However, the social district is not a sure thing just yet.
West says the idea for a social district from Gladstone residents who were excited for the arrival of Saunders Point Brewing, which opened on Delta Avenue in December. To gauge interest from others in the community, the DDA has published a virtual survey.
“This is an initiative that we don’t want to pursue if the community doesn’t want it,” said West. “We have not committed one way or another. Members of the community can let us know if it’s something they’re interested in, if it’s something they would not like to see in our community, or they can let us know what their questions are so we can properly address those as we continue to plan.”
To participate in the survey, click here.
