MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) The Mobile City Council passed the ordinance to create an entertainment district in Mobile. The decision came down Tuesday morning.
The ordinance allows people to take alcoholic beverages out of bars in specifically designated cups. The cups can be paper or plastic, but must have the LODA logo, or a business logo.
It begins April 1, and runs through March 5, 2014, unless it's terminated or extended by the council. Entertainment district hours will be from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. everyday.
There is a three block stretch of Dauphin Street between Franklin and Cedar streets that's not included in either district. The owners of two taverns in that area, The Haberdasher and The Alabama Music Box, are furious about being left out.
"The fact that we embody entertainment and we are not considered in the entertainment district upsets us," said Chris Cole, manager at Alabama Music Box.
"I do think that we bring a lot to the table. We are hard workers, we pay city taxes, we pay salaries, we bring jobs. I don't think it's fair. It feels like a slap in the face from the city council," said Elisa Poche, co-owner of The Haberdasher.
The Downtown Mobile Alliance said most of that area is residential and because of noise and litter concerns, most people there didn't want to be included.
Owners of the Haberdasher said they're considering a lawsuit.
Police Chief Micheal T. Williams is also concerned about enforcement. He said he needs an additional $686,000 and five additional officers to make the districts a safe success.
CLICK HERE for a map of the entertainment district.
