Pending state approval, parts of downtown Emporia are now a common consumption area for alcoholic beverages.
As part of a special meeting Wednesday, Emporia city commissioners approved an ordinance letting residents drink alcoholic beverages sold by participating businesses outside their licensed establishments and also in designated downtown areas:
*10 block of West Fourth
*Commercial from Fourth to 12th
*Merchant from Fourth to Eighth
*Mechanic from Fifth to Eighth
*Market from Fifth to Sixth
The city of Emporia now has to apply to the Kansas Alcohol and Beverage Control director and also install certain signs before this new area is available to the public. Once approved, it will be open from 8 am-11:59 pm daily — although Police Chief Ed Owens can close parts or all of the common consumption area for special events or if necessary.
No open container purchased within the common consumption area can be removed from the CCA. Also, no alcoholic beverages can be imbibed in vehicles while on a CCA street. Consumption of liquor purchased outside the CCA and subsequently brought into that area will not be allowed.
City officials will monitor safety concerns and make sure the area adheres to state regulations.
