16th Street mall could have outdoor alcohol consumption areas when it officially reopens
DENVER (KDVR) — As the 16th Street Mall is set to officially reopen from over a year of construction in the coming weeks, the city is considering a new rule that would allow for the consumption of alcohol outside in certain areas.
Businesses on the mall said the ability to drink on the go has the potential to be a real driving force for bringing people back here for the first time in years.
Heather Delaney has been the general manager at Appaloosa Grill on the 16th Street Mall for about a year now, and it was anything but normal.
'It was a crazy year,' said Delaney. 'We had fences up until probably, like, two months ago.'
As that construction wraps up, people have started to come back out, and the idea of outdoor alcohol consumption has Delaney excited.
'I love a good Bourbon Street, so I think it'll be good,' said Delaney.
The city's Department of Excise and Licenses held a public hearing Friday morning to lay out the proposal. Currently, the idea is to designate the area of the 16th Street Mall and Glenarm Place as consumption areas, where people can walk outdoors with a drink purchased from an eligible business that earns a new alcohol takeout license.
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Lisa Pope, President of the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association, said this is exactly what the area needs.
'We're super excited,' said Pope. 'We need a central gathering spot, and Glenarm Plaza is going to be that for us.'
Delaney agreed, saying any help to return the mall to its former glory is appreciated.
'It's giving the bars kind of extra foot traffic,' said Delaney. 'Even to just come in and have a beer, you know, that's sales.'
She also said that a similar, temporary situation during the pandemic was a success.
'It really worked well for us,' said Delaney. 'It kind of kept us alive being a mom and pop on 16th and we're still here today.'
While the plan has not been finalized yet, both Delaney and Pope hope this is what brings a new normal to the area.
'It's just going to be a fantastic place, even better than it was before,' said Pope.
Other rules the city included in the proposal are that takeout sales can only happen between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., and you cannot bring your own alcohol into the area. The city said it's now reviewing public input it received on Friday before finalizing the rules ahead of the 16th Street Mall's official reopening later this month.
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