Title
Resolution to Approve Renaming the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, Expand the Commons Area, and Approve the List of Participating Establishments
Memorandum
In 2020, the Michigan Legislature amended Section 551 of Public Act 58 of 1998 (MCL 436.1551) to create the social district program. This program allows municipalities to designate a commons area where license-holding establishments may share space to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons who may move freely within that space while consuming alcoholic beverages.
At the Council meeting on August 16, 2021, City Council adopted resolution R-21-321, which created the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District. On October 4, 2021, Council adopted resolution R-21-374, which approved the original list of Main Street liquor licensees eligible to apply for a social district permit. On April 15, 2024, City Council revised and amended the list of approved participating establishments.
Pursuant to this resolution, the City seeks to rename the social district to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District and increase the commons area to include businesses to the east of the current social district. Additional license holders in the newly renamed social district wishing to participate must seek approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) with a resolution attached from Council that approves their individual applications.
This resolution renames the social district, enlarges the map of the commons area, and approves the list of establishments eligible to apply for a permit in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District. It also affirms that any licensee currently permitted to serve alcohol in the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District shall be allowed to continue doing so in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District.
Staff
Prepared by: John Reiser, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Michigan Public Act 124 of 2020 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, The Ann Arbor City Council created the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District on August 16, 2021 and revised and amended the list of Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) approved participating establishments on April 5, 2024 and now desires to expand the commons area, increase the number of approved participating establishments, and rename the social district to reflect the larger commons area;
Whereas, License holders in the commons area currently approved for the on-premises sale of alcoholic beverages but not yet granted authority to participate in the existing Main Street Area Ann Arbor Social District must separately apply to the MLCC and affix to that application a resolution from Council approving their social district application; and
Whereas, This resolution will provide approval for additional license holders to participate in the newly-renamed Downtown Ann Arbor Social District;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council hereby approves the renaming of the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, for consideration by the MLCC;
RESOLVED, That all MLCC licensees currently licensed under the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District are affirmed and approved as MLCC social district licensees under the renamed Downtown Ann Arbor Social District;
RESOLVED, That currently-permitted Main Street Ann Arbor Social District MLCC licensees be allowed to maintain operations in compliance with the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District Management Plan until the MLCC has approved the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District Map and Management Plan, and the signage and beverage container requirements of MCL 436.1551 have been met;
RESOLVED, The Downtown Ann Arbor Social District shall be managed as set forth in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District Management Plan;
RESOLVED, Ann Arbor City Council designates the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District and commons areas in the following locations:
• State Street from William Street to Washington Street;
• Washington Street from Thayer Street to First Street;
• Liberty Street from State Street to First Street;
• William Street from State Street to Thompson Street;
• Maynard Street from Liberty Street to 420 Maynard Street;
• North University Ave from State Street to Thayer Street;
• Thayer Street from North University Ave to Washington Street;
• Thompson Street from Liberty Street to William Street;
• Division Street from Liberty Street to Washington Street;
• Fifth Avenue from Washinton Street to 307 S. Fifth Avenue;
• Fourth Avenue from Huron Street to 314 S. Fourth Avenue;
• Main Street from Huron Street to William Street;
• Ashley Street from Washington Street to Liberty Street; and
• First Street from Liberty Street to Huron Street;
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council approves the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District to be in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday, throughout the year;
RESOLVED, That the City Council grants the City Administrator the authority to revoke, alter, or suspend the Social District designation or commons area if they determine that the activities within or existence of the Social District threatens the health, safety, or welfare of the public or have become a public nuisance, except that the approved blocks, dates, and times may not be expanded beyond what is authorized in this resolution;
RESOLVED, That the Main Street Area Association and State Street District Association shall submit a Downtown Ann Arbor Social District Management Plan to the City that shall be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to the implementation of the newly renamed social district; and
RESOLVED, That the MLCC 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/s to the MLCC.