Title
Resolution to Revise and Amend List of Approved Participating Establishments in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District
Memorandum
In 2020, the State Legislature amended section 551 of Public Act 58 of 1998 to create the Social District program. This program allows municipalities to designate a common area where license-holding establishments may share space to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons and the patrons may move freely within that space while consuming alcoholic beverages.
At the Ann Arbor City Council meeting of August 16, 2021, City Council adopted resolution R-21-321, which approved the creation of a Social District in the Main Street area. At the Ann Arbor City Council meeting of September 3, 2024, City Council adopted resolution R-24-366, which approved renaming the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, expanded the commons area and district boundaries, and approved the list of eligible license holders for the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District. Pursuant to this resolution, the City sought approval of these changes to the existing social district from the State of Michigan. In addition, each license holder in the district who wants to participate must seek application from the State with a resolution affixed from Council that approves of their individual applications.
This resolution revises and amends the current list to reflect the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District businesses eligible for Social District Permits and provides municipal approval to liquor license holders in the district to apply to the MLCC for a Social District Permit. The changes include:
• Removes four licensees from the current list that are no longer in business, no longer in business at that location, or do not hold a liquor license at that location:
o Alo’s, LLC (d/b/a Alo’s) at 221 W. Liberty St.
o Blue Tractor AA, LLC (d/b/a Blue Tractor BBQ and Brewery; Mash Bar) at 211 E Washington St.
o Dancing Foods, LLC (d/b/a First Bite) at 108 S Main St.
o The Tavern Project Michigan, LLC (d/b/a Haymaker Public House) 201-203 E. Washington St.
• Updates one licensee at an existing business location on the current list:
o Tomukun Group, LLC (d/b/a Tomukun Noodle Bar) 505 E. Liberty St. Ste. 100-200
• Updates one business location for an existing license on the current list:
o La Taqueria Ann Arbor LLC (d/b/a TAQ - Taqueria Restaurant & Bar) 120 E. Liberty St. Ste 120
• Adds two new licensees and businesses to the current list:
o 200 S. Ashley, LLC (d/b/a Aperitivo) 200 S Ashley St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104
o Slows Ann Arbor, LLC (d/b/a Slows Bar BQ; Mash Bar) 205-207-211 E Washington St Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Staff
Prepared by: Rachel Rickinger, Deputy Clerk
Prepared by: Zachary Whalen, Administrative Assistant
Reviewed by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: John Reiser, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Council Liquor License Review Committee
Body
Whereas, Michigan Public Act 124 of 2020 (the Act) was signed into law on July 1, 2020 allowing municipalities to designate Social Districts, wherein license holding establishments could share outdoor dining space and patrons could move freely within the district while consuming an alcoholic beverage;
Whereas, On August 16, 2021, the Ann Arbor City Council approved the creation of the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District;
Whereas, On September 3, 2024, the Ann Arbor City Council approved renaming the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, expanded the commons area and district boundaries, and approved the list of eligible license holders for the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District;
Whereas, Each license holder in the district must make application to the MLCC and affixed to that application must be a resolution from Council approving their application; and
Whereas, This resolution will provide approval for each license holder to participate in the program;
RESOLVED, That the license holders listed in the attachment to this resolution are hereby approved for participation in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, and the City of Ann Arbor recommends their application to the MLCC.
Sponsored by: Council Liquor License Review Committee