Entertainment District Under Consideration In Canton

CANTON, GA — The Canton City Council will hold a public hearing next week on whether it should establish an entertainment district in its downtown area. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 at Canton City Hall.

The district is proposed by Councilman Nick Estes, and would allow patrons to remove alcoholic drinks from certain establishments holding on-premise consumption alcohol licenses. The drinks would be served in plastic cups no larger than 16 ounces, and patrons will only be allowed to carry out one drink per person at one time.

The proposed boundary would follow the city's current map for its Historic Downtown area. There would be stipulations, however. For example, you will not be allowed to carry an open container onto any property designated as a church, daycare center or school. Furthermore, private property or business owners can restrict patrons from going onto their land or coming into their establishment with an open container.

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The proposal would also prohibit people from carrying an open container from a home or vehicle, or removing alcoholic drinks from the boundaries of the district by way of vehicle.

Councilman Estes said the proposed model will be in line with "logistics that are currently provided" by the city during its First Friday celebrations or the popular Art and Wine Walk event. Parts of the ordinance, he added, were taken from similar ordinances in place in cities such as Roswell, Woodstock, Dalton and Acworth.

"This proposal ties back to the #CantonForward initiative where residents asked for more opportunities while enjoying our existing retail shops and restaurant as well as creating opportunities for more shops and restaurants," he said on his website.

On his Facebook page, Estes said he believes this would be great for restaurants and businesses, and would go-hand-in-hand with making Cherokee County's seat a destination town "where all residents and patrons can see and experience everything that we have to offer."

Tell us: what do you think about the proposed entertainment district ordinance?

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