Fresno City Council advances downtown entertainment zone ordinance

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno City Council unanimously approved the first passage of a proposed ordinance to create three entertainment zones in downtown, allowing attendees at permitted events to consume alcohol outside.

The proposal would expand on a concept already used for events such as Art Hop and FresYes, where designated areas allow outdoor alcohol consumption under city oversight.

Under the ordinance, each event would still be required to obtain a permit, and alcohol would be sold by licensed establishments rather than temporary vendors.

"...that drink is sold not by a one-day license volunteer but it's by an established liquor license establishment that has experience doing that all year round," said Elliott Balch, CEO of the Downtown Fresno Partnership.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said the goal is to formalize and regulate the practice.

"What we want to do is regulate it, legalize it, and put in standards that it does not get abused," he said.

The proposed zones would span three areas along Fulton Street in downtown Fresno.

Not everyone supports the plan. Some residents and community members argued it could disproportionately benefit certain businesses.

"The plan helps a few bars, the brewery district and the Fresno Eats. That's about it. Everyone else is on the outside looking in," said Alfred, who opposed the zones during the meeting.

Local artist Joseph Rodriguez echoed concerns about how the zones could affect smaller vendors and artists financially.

"You're hoping to make a little bit of money and when you don't make any and the taco truck next to you looks like there's a line around the block, it's so disheartening," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also expressed concerns about public safety, citing recent violent incidents tied to major downtown events.

In April, two teens were stabbed near Art Hop. The previous month, a man was shot and killed hours before FresYes.

"Someone was killed in the streets and FresYes still went on without a hitch," Rodriguez said.

City leaders say safety planning will be central to the ordinance's implementation.

Dyer said coordination between city departments and public safety agencies will determine staffing and enforcement levels.

"To make sure we have the appropriate number of security guards, appropriate number of police officers, that we have ingress and egress covered," he said.

Council members are expected to hold a final vote on the entertainment zones ordinance on June 4.

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