KSHB 41 News reporter Claire Bradshaw covers portions of eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs. As part of her beat, she regularly checks government documents and reviews emails for story ideas. You can share your idea with Claire by sending her an email.
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The city of Blue Springs is exploring the creation of an entertainment district on Main Street as part of efforts to revitalize its downtown area over the next couple of years.
City Council discussed moving forward with the entertainment district proposal during its Monday night meeting. The discussion marks the beginning of conversations about how such a district could transform the downtown corridor.
The city is considering this option because of successful events like Fall Fun Fest, Corks and Canvases, Third Thursdays and other community gatherings that already draw people to Main Street.
An entertainment district would allow people to walk with open containers of alcohol within designated boundaries. While state law will ultimately determine the specifics of how this would work on Main Street, supporters believe it could serve as a catalyst for bringing more people together downtown.
"So my vision, a simple vision, would be that I could come buy a hamburger or pizza, walk to Central Park and not feel like I'm breaking the law," said District 1 Councilmember Galen Erickson. "It's not all about the alcohol, but it's about the freedom and the ability to move from place to place, sit on the street. That's my reason."
Teresa Keene, executive director of Downtown Blue Springs, is interested in the initiative as part of broader economic development efforts.
"We want anything that happens downtown that would be in a positive direction for economic vitality," Keene said. "When you think about arts and cultural events like the Plaza Art Festival, how that accentuates it, but it also brings in, it's an economic driver, because you're able to have those alcohol sales, which then filters into things like your CID tax, which brings in money for economic vitality and restoration in these downtown districts."
City Council voted unanimously to move the proposal forward and directed city staff to draft an ordinance based on state laws and regulations. Officials expect to have a clearer picture of what the entertainment district could look like by the end of the year.
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