The Ohio House has approved a plan that would allow cities with populations of 35,000 or more to create entertainment districts.
The plan would let cities designate areas where open container laws wouldn’t apply. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
One of the backers of the plan, Republican Representative Lou Blessing, says it allows cities in Ohio to create their own Bourbon Streets where customers could openly carry booze purchased within designated areas. He says these entertainment districts are needed for economic development.
Blessing “It should come as no surprise that the last four cities to host the Superbowl either allowed open container beforehand or created an exemption specifically for that event. No city would do such a thing which obviously costs the city money in policing the area and keeping it clean unless there was a reasonable return on investment.”
The bill passed the Ohio House easily. Next on tap – the Ohio Senate. Backers of the plan hope this will be in place quickly so Cincinnati can create an entertainment district for the upcoming Major League Baseball All Star game.
