Ferndale Isn't Going Dry, But Don't Expect New Bars, Either

FERNDALE, MI – With more half of the buildings in its downtown district occupied by bars and establishments that sell liquor, Ferndale is invoking its own version of prohibition, at least for the time being.

The city isn’t going to issue any new liquor licenses as officials consider a plan addressing a persistent problem in the downtown area: Bar and restaurant patrons are gobbling up available parking spots during peak commercial hours, The Daily Tribune reports.

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The plan, which has the blessing of the Downtown Development Authority, would require new or expanding downtown bars and restaurants to pony up thousands of dollars for each on-site parking space they lack and pay it into a fund that would be used to construct a parking deck.

“For the short-term, it is a significant financial disincentive to get a new liquor license for a bar or restaurant,” Mayor Dave Coulter said. “The medium-term solution is to increase parking with a deck.”

The city’s Planning Commission will consider the proposed Parking In-Lieu ordinance next week. The Ferndale City Council has the final say.

» Photo by Daniel Lee via Flickr / Creative Commons