Michigan communities create alcohol social districts to boost downtowns
Sheldon Krause
As warm weather descends on Michigan, some communities are creating “social districts” under a state initiative that advocates say will spur social and economic involvement in downtown economies.
A 2020 law allows local governments to apply for a permit to designate groups of restaurants with liquor licenses as social districts. The law also creates areas between restaurants in the districts where alcohol in marked containers from these businesses may be consumed.
The idea is growing as communities hope for summer boom and as residents look for fun outdoors after months of isolation.