By R. R. Branstrom

Daily Press, Escanaba

GLADSTONE — The City of Gladstone has officially adopted a social district management plan, with four commissioners voting in favor of allowing alcoholic beverages on the sidewalks of a stretch of downtown and one commissioner opposed.

The State of Michigan legalized social districts in 2020, and since then, over 140 municipalities have introduced such regions in their communities. Gladstone’s Downtown Development Authority had begun looking into the possibility of creating a social district after it was suggested by a local business owner. They then conducted an online community survey in January. After 79% of the 197 poll responses came back in favor of the creation of a social district in Gladstone, a steering committee was appointed to work out the particulars.

The meeting on Monday brought around 45 citizens, about 15 of whom spoke on the matter after a presentation from DDA Director Patricia West about the plan developed by the steering committee and the laws surrounding social districts.

The steering committee’s advice for a district was that it would operate year-round from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Most citizens who made comments spoke in favor of the district, making for a noted change from past hearings.

Amanda Phillips, owner of the Dew Drop Family Restaurant and member of the steering committee, said that she is both for and against the measure. The Dew Drop serves alcohol and would have the option to pay for the additional license from the Liquor Control Commission to participate in the social district, but since the city is also leaving it up to the licensed establishments to obtain their own specially-marked containers, she feels it would be a cost expense and doesn’t see it benefiting her business.