Trial Period Set For New Entertainment District In Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- In a 4 to 3 vote the city of Tupelo passed a temporary ordinance in hopes of bringing more people downtown on the weekends.

The move establishes a leisure and recreation district within the city.

It will allow people to take alcoholic beverages out of the designated restaurants and bars in a go cup.

A public hearing was held before the vote Tuesday night, allowing downtown organizations and business owners to give their input on the proposal.

“Alcohol is not and should not be the primary reason for people to come to downtown, but it is a factor for people to attend events,” said owner of Vanelli’s Bistro, Voz Vanelli.

Other owners expressed to council that safety is their number one priority.

“When you’re open to midnight, there’s always the element of what’s out there and who’s out there and those type of situations,” said Brad Franks, owner of Crave Desserts and Coffee.

Franks concerns were shared by several council members.

However, council approved a six month trial period for the ordinance that’s in affect for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.