The Great Bend City Council adopted an ordinance Monday that greatly expands the downtown Common Consumption Area, which allows a committee to allow alcohol sales in designated areas during select events. The vote was 6-1, with councilmember Davis Jimenez opposed and councilmember Kevyn Soupiset absent (he arrived a short time later). Before voting, the council heard from audience member Dee Ann Grummon, who expressed her opinion that “expanding the ‘Common Consumption Area’ is not a wise idea.” “Is it impossible to draw a crowd with food, art and music/entertainment only, or is alcohol the magic ingredient for any event to be successful?” she said. Her comments will appear on the Great Bend Tribune’s public forum and a link will be provided later. The Common Consumption Area (CCA) was created by ordinance in 2021 at the request of Great Bend Economic Development. At present, it includes the 2100 block of Forest Ave., which is the block in front of the Tribune. Final Fridays on Forest events in this area involve closing the street to traffic and allowing food and alcohol vendors and live music. GBED’s Great Bend Alive sets up tables and chairs, with volunteers at the entrances to make sure alcohol is not brought in or carried out of the area. At the Aug. 5 City Council meeting, GBED Director Sara Arnberger asked for an ordinance expanding the CCA to also include: The crosswalk across Williams along the south side of Forest Ave. (to The Landing, a new gathering area); Half of the block that includes The Landing; Lakin Ave. between Williams and Main; 12th Street between Williams and Main Arnberger said the committee would not ask to use all of the area all of the time. “This gives us flexibility into the future,” she said. The item was tabled on Aug. 5 after councilmember Cory Urban said he would like to change the makeup of the CCA Committee that decides when to utilize the areas. City Attorney Allen Glendenning amended the ordinance at that was what was approved Monday night.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
