Cincinnati Council could vote Wednesday on proposals to bring more liquor licenses to Downtown. The city would set up two new community entertainment districts that could allow for 21 additional bars.
Attorney Brad Thomas described how the districts work Monday during city council’s Neighborhood committee meeting.
“These community entertainment districts allow for additional licenses outside of the population based quota,” Thomas said. “It has to be a contiguous area of over 20 acres, it cannot be smaller than 20, and then you have one license for every five acres up to a maximum of 15.”
There are several of these already in the city including The Banks and Over-the-Rhine.
One of the community entertainment districts Downtown would benefit 3CDC developments at 4th and Race and the dunnhumby building.
Council Member Yvette Simpson abstained from voting on the issues because of that fact.
“These types of licenses should be in the hands of the community and not any developer,” Simpson said. “In this case 3CDC is operating as a developer, and carving out a space specifically for its development and I don’t think that’s the purpose of this.”
The State of Ohio traditionally allocates liquor licenses based on population, but the community entertainment district allows more flexibility. State officials will still have the final say on whether an establishment gets a license.
