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Imagine a downtown festival this summer in full attendance with live music, arts and crafts and shops open late.
Imagine good weather. Imagine high spirits.
Imagine, perhaps, a food and beer tent on Center Street.
"The initial reason for the tent was to bring in live music and entertainment," Clint Pletcher, Warsaw Community Development Corp. president, said. "But it definitely comes with some thought and some controversy."
WCDC members, consisting of local shop owners and community officials, met Tuesday to discuss what could be expected from this year's downtown events.
Various activities are scheduled throughout 2006, but the July 14-15 Summer Nights event sparked questions from the board after Pletcher mentioned the idea of installing a beer tent in the area.
With a Polynesian theme set, Pletcher thought the beer tent would be a good fit. But members wanted reassurance the beer tent would be safely enclosed, shared by downtown bars and free of any liability to the city.
"We've done too much to bring things in the downtown together, and we don't need to create discord," Mayor Ernie Wiggins said. "If it was on the courthouse lawn instead (of Center Street) I wonder what the county would have to say about the matter."
According to Pletcher, the tent could be controlled by keeping minors out and keeping alcoholic beverages in. He also said the city would not be legally vulnerable, because vendors inside the tent would be required to have proper licenses through the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Policemen also would be hired to watch over the festival, though the cost of hiring the off-duty officers is another matter the board must look into.
While Wiggins wanted to allow local restaurants The Downtown, Mad Anthony Taphouse and Rex's Rendezvous to share the tent, others said only members of WCDC should be allowed to participate in WCDC-sanctioned events.
"I think it's safe to say if you want to join in the fun, you have to be a member," member George Clemens said. "It's not fair to the rest of the shops if we don't enforce this."
After the board expressed their concerns regarding the matter, a vote was taken as to whether a favorable recommendation for the tent would be given to the Board of Public Works and Safety. A 9-3 vote in favor of the tent was recorded, with three other members abstaining.
The issue now will go before the BOW. Wiggins also said he planned to publically take in the advisement of the city council.
The board also:
• Heard reports the CVS Pharmacy on Detroit Street could soon be remodeling its exterior.
• Discussed the need to restructure the facade grant used for downtown revitalization. New factors in the program include possible grant periods and areas eligible for application.
• Discussed the opening of the Biblical Gardens. According to Kevin Zachary, WCDC member, the Gardens are now fully operational.
