MANSFIELD, Ohio – A new law signed into effect by Gov. John Kasich on Thursday will allow adults in qualifying cities to bring their beverages outside – a prospect that downtown Mansfield plans to take advantage of.
The official language of House Bill 47, passed by an overwhelming majority in the Ohio House, allows certain municipal corporations and townships to create outdoor refreshment areas and exempts persons within an outdoor refreshment area from the open container law. The bill also exempts persons who are passengers on a commercial quadricycle from that law and revises the law governing F-8 liquor permits.
In short, outdoor alcohol consumption will be allowed within designated areas, commonly referred to as “entertainment districts.”
The creation of an outdoor refreshment area is a very real possibility on the horizon for Mansfield. Law Director John Spon said his office has been following H.B. 47 throughout the legislative process, and totally supports the passage of the bill.
“It’s a modern legislative tool to enhance economic development to the entertainment industry,” said Spon. “It provides a new avenue for economic development, a new venue to encourage citizens and visitors and tourists to come into our downtown area, and enjoy the services and products and other opportunities that would present themselves in our community.”
Ellen Haring, former councilmember-at-large for the city of Mansfield, added that talks of establishing an entertainment district downtown have been fueled by requests from local business owners as long as two and three years ago. Haring said what was once a complicated process has been simplified with the passage of H.B. 47.
“The state of Ohio has made it a lot easier for local communities to establish entertainment districts,” she said. “When we first started talking about when I was on city council, we didn’t really have a template to go by. Now we do, and as of yesterday this gives additional authority to local communities to structure their entertainment districts in various ways.”
In order to create an outdoor refreshment area, H.B. 47 requires an application be filed to have property within a municipal corporation or township designated as an outdoor refreshment area. The boundaries of an outdoor refreshment area shall not exceed one-half square mile in a corporation of more than 35,000 – according to Spon, Mansfield has a population of approximately 47,000.
“My recommendation is it would include the square and proceed north through the brickyard area,” said Spon. “The actual boundaries of the proposed entertainment district would be determined by those businesses in that area, subject to final approval by our city council.”
A municipal corporation or township such as Mansfield, with a population of more than 35,000 but less than or equal to 50,000, shall not create more than one outdoor refreshment area, according to the bill. In addition, five years after the creation of an outdoor refreshment area Mansfield would be required to review the operation of the area and either approve the continued operation of the area or dissolve the area.
Haring noted communication between all involved parties is key going forward in order to address all concerns, and she encouraged further education by looking up the state law regarding entertainment districts.
“People who aren’t familiar with the current definition of an entertainment district might not understand what that really means,” said Haring. “It’s a very simple process, but yet we would craft it to fit our proposed entertainment area most beneficially. Even though it’s spelled out for us in the legislation, we still as a community have the opportunity to define it further for our benefits and needs.”
“My hope is that the various businesses in that general area formulate an advisory committee to deal with not only the boundaries of a proposed entertainment district, but also to resolve any more complex issues that pertain to traffic and the practical aspects of how an entertainment district would actually function,” said Spon.
The bill also states that at the time of the creation of an outdoor refreshment area, Mansfield would adopt an ordinance or resolution establishing the necessary requirements to ensure public health and safety within the area. This includes a sanitation plan that will help maintain the appearance and public health of the area, and a requirement that beer and/or liquor be served solely in plastic bottles or other plastic containers in the area.
“You’ve got to manage and monitor it and make sure it’s policed, make sure it’s done within the letter of the law,” said Mayor Tim Theaker. “But it’s something I think will be very helpful for downtown Mansfield.”
Theaker said the creation of a downtown entertainment district is an idea that has been in the works for some time. In February 2015 the Richland County Development Group (RCDG) developed a plan of action after reviewing a report from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business. The report contained suggestions for sparking economic and cultural progress for Richland County.
As part of RCDG’s plan, Theaker, along with Certified Financial Planner of Cleveland Financial Charles Hahn and Richland Young Professionals (RYP) President Mike Whisler, chair a committee focused on downtown Mansfield’s development. Theaker stated the concept for downtown growth outlined by the Fisher study includes two-way streets, way finding and parking design, downtown living and the creation of an entertainment district.
“This will help the downtown grow and mature, and something that really will help develop it,” said Theaker. “It’s something we’ve been wanting and needing for a while.”
Theaker noted Downtown Mansfield Inc. (DMI) has also been involved in the development of entertainment opportunities downtown. Jamie Thompson, co-director of DMI, stated, “We are keeping an eye on the opportunities that could emerge resulting from the passage of this bill.”
House Bill 47 was declared an emergency, meaning it went into effect immediately after Kasich’s signing on Thursday. Spon said he was not certain of how quickly an outdoor refreshment area could be created in the city of Mansfield, but his office plans on proceeding “full speed ahead.”
“I have already proceeded to meet with various individuals who are interested in the possibility of an entertainment district within our downtown area,” said Spon. “There have been several businesses that have expressed an interest in establishing an entertainment district; we’re excited to see the creative efforts of these businesses and will assist in that process in every way.”
