The Fresno City Council unanimously approved the first passage of a proposed ordinance to create three entertainment zones in downtown, allowing attendees at permitted events to consume alcohol outside.<\/p>\n
The proposal would expand on a concept already used for events such as Art Hop and FresYes, where designated areas allow outdoor alcohol consumption under city oversight.<\/p>\n
Under the ordinance, each event would still be required to obtain a permit, and alcohol would be sold by licensed establishments rather than temporary vendors.<\/p>\n
“…that drink is sold not by a one-day license volunteer but it’s by an established liquor license establishment that has experience doing that all year round,” said Elliott Balch, CEO of the Downtown Fresno Partnership.<\/p>\n
Mayor Jerry Dyer said the goal is to formalize and regulate the practice.<\/p>\n
“What we want to do is regulate it, legalize it, and put in standards that it does not get abused,” he said.<\/p>\n
The proposed zones would span three areas along Fulton Street in downtown Fresno.<\/p>\n
Not everyone supports the plan. Some residents and community members argued it could disproportionately benefit certain businesses.<\/p>\n
“The plan helps a few bars, the brewery district and the Fresno Eats. That’s about it. Everyone else is on the outside looking in,” said Alfred, who opposed the zones during the meeting.<\/p>\n
Local artist Joseph Rodriguez echoed concerns about how the zones could affect smaller vendors and artists financially.<\/p>\n
“You’re hoping to make a little bit of money and when you don’t make any and the taco truck next to you looks like there’s a line around the block, it’s so disheartening,” Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez also expressed concerns about public safety, citing recent violent incidents tied to major downtown events.<\/p>\n
In April, two teens were stabbed near Art Hop.<\/a> The previous month, a man was shot and killed hours before FresYes.<\/a><\/p>\n “Someone was killed in the streets and FresYes still went on without a hitch,” Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n City leaders say safety planning will be central to the ordinance’s implementation.<\/p>\n Dyer said coordination between city departments and public safety agencies will determine staffing and enforcement levels.<\/p>\n “To make sure we have the appropriate number of security guards, appropriate number of police officers, that we have ingress and egress covered,” he said.<\/p>\n Council members are expected to hold a final vote on the entertainment zones ordinance on June 4.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n