Совет города Пойнт-Плезант отклонил предложение о создании зоны для употребления алкоголя на открытом воздухе

Point Pleasant, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Point Pleasant City Council voted against a proposal Tuesday night that would have created a designated outdoor drinking area in downtown. The proposed PODA, or Private Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, would have allowed people to carry alcoholic beverages within a specific downtown area during designated days and hours. If approved, the district would have covered Main Street from First through Sixth Street, as well as the flood walk. Alcoholic beverages would have been permitted within the area on Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Supporters argued the PODA could have brought more people downtown and provided a boost to local businesses. Opponents, however, raised concerns about public safety, enforcement and the additional responsibilities the proposal could have placed on the city’s police department. The proposal included restrictions on when the PODA could operate and required alcoholic beverages to remain within the designated boundaries. After hearing from both supporters and opponents during Tuesday night’s meeting, council voted no on the ordinance. The vote means the proposed downtown PODA will not be established under the current ordinance. For supporters, the decision means a potential new attraction for downtown businesses will not move forward. For opponents, the vote addresses concerns they had raised about the impact of allowing public drinking in the downtown area.