Wake Forest commissioners considering downtown social district

Wake Forest is among the latest towns in North Carolina to explore the possibility of creating a downtown social district.

In September 2021, Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 890 which allows North Carolina cities and counties to create their own “social districts” - designated areas people can take alcohol to go and drink it while walking down the street. Whereas state law normally prohibits the consumption of alcohol on public streets and sidewalks, in a social district, people are allowed to buy an adult beverage and drink it while moving about.

During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, several business owners and residents spoke both for and against creating a social district in downtown Wake Forest. Later, after a presentation by Downtown Development Manager Jennifer Herbert in which she shared that a recent survey revealed that 68% of downtown business owners favor the creation of a downtown social district, several commissioners expressed cautious support for the idea. Following discussion, they instructed Herbert to develop a draft ordinance to include a map of the social district and penalties to address violations.

If Wake Forest opts to create a social district, it must follow several state law requirements. For example, the Town would have to clearly mark the social district boundaries with signage, and alcohol would have to be served in a cup that is not glass and no more than 16 ounces.

In addition, restaurants and bars would be able to decide the extent of their participation. People could leave establishments with their alcoholic beverage while within the social district but may be prohibited from entering the premises of a different seller without first consuming the beverage purchased at the previous location. Beverages could, however, be taken to participating locations that do not sell alcohol, such as retail stores and art galleries. Such businesses that allow to-go drinks would be required to have decals on their windows.

Town officials concede there are several details that must be finalized, but they hope to have a draft of a proposed ordinance later this year.