Big Rapids considers implementing downtown social district

May 20, 2023

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The Big Rapids city commission is considering implementing a social disrict in the downtown area as a way to bring more foot traffic to local businesses.

The Big Rapids city commission is considering implementing a social disrict in the downtown area as a way to bring more foot traffic to local businesses.

BIG RAPIDS — The Big Rapids Downtown Business Association is asking the city commission to consider establishing a social district in downtown Big Rapids.

DBA director Josh Pyles told the board during a May 8 work session that the DBA would like the board to consider pursuing state licensing to establish the downtown district as a social district.

"The city has been approached by the DBA through Josh (Pyles) and Kelly Wawsczyk (Mecosta County Development director) for us to consider the implementation of a social district," city manager Mark Gifford said. "We have had some early discussions and wanted to have the next level discussion with the commission."

The social district would allow certain businesses that participate to serve alcohol to customers in a specific way, who could then travel throughout the downtown area — the parks, the picnic tables, those types of things — with the container of alcohol, Gifford said.

"The idea of the social district is to create a certain vibe in the downtown area," he said. "This is relatively new. We had some original conversations with the downtown when it first came out and they were hesitant, but now I believe they are on board."

Pyles said the concept of the social district began during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow businesses to continue to serve the public when they could not have customers inside.

"The biggest hesitation with downtown at that time was the stipulation that you would have to shut down the street," Pyles said. "That is not the case now, and in talking with all the businesses downtown, they are all in support."

Information provided by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs states that, "The governing body of a local governmental unit may designate a social district within its jurisdiction, wherein qualified licensees whose licensed premises are contiguous to the commons area within the social district, and have been approved for and issued a social district permit, may sell alcoholic liquor — beer, wine, mixed spirits, spirits or mixed drinks — on their licensed premises to customers, who may then consume them within the (designated) commons area of the social district."

Once a social district has been established, businesses that hold a liquor license can apply to the state for a social district permit to allow them to sell alcohol that can then be consumed outside the establishment, within the designated social district, Pyles said.

"It is $70 for the inspection and $250 for the permit, and then you can participate in the social district," he said. "Everyone downtown that I spoke to is on board at this time."

The DBA is proposing the social district and commons area be designated between State Street and Warren Avenue going east and west and between Pine Street and Linden Street going north and south.

"Establishing a Social District has developed into common practice in other communities as an enhancement to the downtown atmosphere," Pyles said. "Downtown business owners believe that a social district may help to attract more people to the downtown area and create opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses."

He added, he has researched other communities that have established social districts, including Reed City and Newaygo, where it has proven to be beneficial.

LARA requires that the area within the Social District be clearly designated and marked. The commons area must have at least two qualified licensees, whose licensed premises are contiguous to the designated commons area.

Licensees, who have obtained a social district permit may sell alcohol to a customer in the licensee's establishment only, not in the commons area. Alcohol sold to customers for consumption in the commons area must be served in a special container that prominently displays the licensee's name or logo, along with markings unique to the social district.

Customers may not transport alcohol from one licensee to another within the social district.

"I think this has the potential to add those ‘third spaces’ that we are lacking in society today, where you are allowed to exist in a social setting where others may be imbibing and you are not — but we are out, we are social and there is an energy of community around us," commissioner Amanda Johnson said. "We need a place for our community to gather and be social together."

City attorney Brad Fowler said the process, as he understands it, will be for the DBA to develop a plan laying out the map of the district, the recommended days and times it would be in place and a plan for how it will be managed, which will then be submitted to the board for a vote. The city would then apply to the state for approval of the social district plan.