Pilot Social District Clears First Hurdle

A pilot social district in the Brooklyn Arts District is closer to becoming a reality following a vote of support from the Wilmington City Council last week.

The pilot program would allow people to buy an alcoholic drink at a participating establishment (not bring one from home) and consume it anywhere within the designated district. Local business owners and officials say the district would help drive foot traffic during a time when small businesses often see a lull.

The Wilmington City Council voted 4-2 in support of an ordinance that authorized approval of the pilot social district on Jan. 7. Because the council did not vote unanimously to waive a second reading on the item, it will come before the council again at its next meeting.

The proposed pilot district would encompass a 10-block radius along Fourth Street, from Walnut to North Front streets, and a block section of Red Cross Street to include access to The Eagle’s Dare. The pilot would take place on the first three Saturdays in February from noon to 5 p.m.

The Brooklyn Arts District Collective, a cross-section of 20 small business owners from the area, formally brought the request for the pilot district to city officials at the end of October, Deputy City Manager Chad McEwen told the council.

Since then, collective members, representatives from Wilmington Downtown Inc. and city staff have held several meetings with various city departments, the Wilmington Police Department and the public to discuss the details of the proposal.

McEwen said members of the Brooklyn Arts District Collective are interested in eventually making the district permanent in the area.

“The ordinance in front of you tonight would approve that pilot program,” he told the city council, “but their desire would be a long-term permanent social district consistent with the Saturday option, noon to 5.”

In 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the creation of social districts, McEwen said, which outline parameters for social districts across the state. For example, participating businesses have to serve drinks in cups that include the social district’s logo, display the business’s name and hold no more than 16 fluid ounces.

Several council members voiced support for the pilot district while others had questions about logistics. Council members Kevin Spears and Salette Andrews voted against the pilot district. Spears said the daytime hours and the location of the pilot gave him pause.

“I may be more on board with this if it was more so centrally located downtown where we have bars, but the Brooklyn Arts District is a community,” Spears said. “I believe, my opinion, that it will heavily impact the neighbors of this community. It just doesn’t really sit right with me for some reason.”

Scott Wagner, the owner of Goat & Compass and a representative from the Brooklyn Arts District Collective, explained the collective proposed district hours between noon and 5 p.m. to coincide with the hours of typically scheduled events.

“The reason we chose 5 o’clock was specifically for our restaurants in our district because they tend to start dinner service at 5 o’clock,” he said. “So, we wanted to have people come into the district, be able to be adults, move freely within the district … and then stay within the district and help those restaurants, as well.”

Brooklyn Cafe co-owner Tara English also played a role in helping formulate the pilot social district. She said the social district aims to promote the area’s “economic growth” by allowing people to “move freely and embrace and support more businesses in the district.”

“This has been several months in the making with an original concept and desire to bring a social district to Wilmington dating back a few years,” English wrote in a statement. “There are over 55 social districts in North Carolina currently, and with Wilmington being one of the largest cities in North Carolina we felt the time is now.”

Christina Haley, president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown Inc. (WDI), said she’s been in conversation with Wagner and others at the collective about the pilot social district for about a year. Haley said she was pleased with the council’s vote on the matter.

“I think this proposal aligns with WDI’s mission in reflecting a shared vision for the district’s growth and our dedication to supporting new, thoughtful and unique initiatives that positively impact our businesses,” Haley said.

WDI’s ambassadors plan to assist with clean-up and hospitality during the pilot district. After each social district event, Haley and members of the collective plan to meet with city staff to discuss any needed changes or adjustments.

“This approach positions us to reasonably test the initiative, gauge what works best for our community,” she said. “I think this is a good way to get our feet wet and see what happens.”

Flytrap Brewing Owner Mike Barlas said he supports the pilot district and exploring its potential for the area.

“As a business owner in the Brooklyn Arts District, I feel responsible for giving this a proper chance and am taking it seriously,” Barlas wrote in a statement. “How could we know what a social district would look like in our community without a test run?  I’m choosing to remain open-minded about it and look forward to seeing how it plays out.”