On May 6, the Pagosa Springs Town Council approved a liquor permit request for the businesses along the north side of the 400 block of U.S. 160 to host “sip-and-shop” events in that section of downtown during this year’s summer months.
Dallas Weaver, owner of Foot Prints shoe store at 456 Pagosa St., first brought the idea, intended to boost business in this section of downtown during the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) reconstruction project, to the council at an April meeting.
At that meeting, Weaver explained that he was working with other businesses located in that section of downtown on store participation, times and dates for the events.
He suggested that the construction barrier along the sidewalk on the north side of the 400 block, between Goodman’s Department Store and Memory Lane Antique Store, could act as the area where alcohol is allowed, with signage at either end prohibiting alcohol beyond that point.
Development Director James Dickhoff noted that the construction barrier in this section would not be there next construction season, when CDOT moves its work zone to the south side of the street, so this summer would be a unique opportunity for events in this section of sidewalk while the construction barrier is still there.
Dickhoff explained that “next year, of course, the drive lane will be right on that curb, and there won’t be pedestrian barriers on that side anymore,” which could be a “hazard” to hold events on that sidewalk next summer.
Weaver explained he would like to hold the first event on June 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., and then continue on the last Wednesday of the month in July, August and maybe September.
A special event liquor permit would need to be obtained for this type of event, with the Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce offering to apply for the June 25 date as the nonprofit holding the special event permit.
Town Clerk April Hessman said that the Chamber “has graciously agreed to at least use one of their special event liquor permits” for the first sip-and-shop event.
She explained that the event planners would need to find “other nonprofits to sponsor” the July and August events, “because you do have to have that” nonprofit sponsor.
The request before the council was not only to approve the special permit, but to also waive the special event permit fee of $100 per event.
Pagosa Bar, San Juan Eatery, The Overlook and Caldwell’s Bar at the Liberty Theater all hold current liquor licenses within the 400 block, and will have signage indicating no alcohol brought into or out of those businesses will be allowed during the events.
Hessman explained that Police Chief Bill Rockensock told her that he “didn’t have any problems with” allowing the events, but wanted to see how the first event in June goes and that they will adjust enforcement accordingly for future events.
Mayor Shari Pierce wanted to make sure that the event planners coordinate with CDOT about when the sidewalk along the 400 block would be under construction.
“I think we need to make that part of our motion” for approval, “that they reach out to CDOT and coordinate that,” she said.
Council member Leonard Martinez said, “Any initiatives that come from the community, the business community, during this time, I want to acknowledge that they are doing whatever they can, and I’d like to support them … we gotta give them every opportunity.”
Council member Gary Williams added that he’d like to “approve it for the entire two-year construction period,” so that “they don’t have to keep coming back to the council.”
Hessman reminded Williams that the barrier would not be there during next year’s construction season and that is why “they want to try this out” this year.
“I fully support trying this out,” at least through the summer months, council member Madeline Bergon said.
She also expressed she wanted to make sure that “we support other businesses in the same way, as the construction moves about and the barricades move about, whether it’s other businesses on the south side or a different block that wants to band together.”
She noted, “I don’t think this should be limited to just this section, and if other people come forward in a similar situation, then we can also work with them.”
Pierce clarified that “this particular item” before the council for a decision only pertained to the 400 block and that other events would need to come back before the council.
A motion was made to approve a special event liquor license on the north side of the 400 block, waive the $100 fee and for the event planners to coordinate with CDOT on sidewalk closures through September.
The council passed the motion unanimously.
derek@pagosasun.com
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