Greenville’s social districts opened two weeks ago, and the Washington city council has approved one as well. The City of New Bern tabled a similar idea earlier this year, but now a group of local business owners are circulating a petition to revive the discussion.
The districts allow customers to walk around the defined area while drinking alcoholic beverages.
The petition to make a social district has nearly 250 signatures from community members including several downtown stores and restaurants.
Two public forums were held to discuss the idea of social districts in the spring, and some community members had concerns about things like trash and public drunkenness.
Director of the Craven County Tourism Development Authority Melissa Riggle told NewsChannel 12 that her group took those concerns to the city, and law enforcement is working to increase its presence and more trash cans will be installed in the area.
