The cities of Bellevue and Dayton are working together again — this time, to clear the way for more coordination between their entertainment districts.
From collaborating on events to working together during snow emergencies or passing ordinances like smoking bans, the cities have a long history of getting things done in tandem.
At a brief meeting Wednesday, Bellevue city council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Charlie Cleves to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city of Dayton. Dayton council passed a similar resolution for Mayor Ben Baker on Tuesday.
If approved by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, the agreement would allow patrons to move more freely between the two districts. Visitors to either district would be able to bring their alcoholic beverages with them when they cross from one entertainment district into the other.
Kentucky law allows for the establishment of entertainment districts that allow patrons to carry their alcoholic beverages with them as they move between establishments within the borders of the district during set times.
Both Bellevue and Dayton have entertainment districts within their main business areas. For Bellevue, the district runs from O’Fallon Avenue to Riviera Drive/Riverboat Row along Fairfield Avenue. For Dayton, it runs from O’Fallon to Main along Sixth Avenue.
The location of these districts — running along the same main artery (same street, different names) — is a unique situation. For city and business leaders, it offers a unique opportunity.
Under the agreement, each city would continue to use its own branding on beverage cups, but patrons would be able to carry those cups into the adjoining district. If the plan is approved by the state, the cities agreed to tweak their entertainment district schedules to allow a smooth flow between the two.
Dayton City Administrator Jay Fossett said right now, under state alcohol regulations, patrons cannot go from one city’s entertainment district into another. When city officials presented the idea to ABC last year, they were denied. Yet, he said, assistant city administrator Jerrod Barks continued the discussion with ABC officials, and they told him they may reconsider if the two cities worked through an interlocal agreement.
Fossett said approval at the state level will take time, but he is hopeful by next year, patrons of the two “buddy” entertainment districts will be able to move freely — and they might even celebrate the approval with a city-to-city pub crawl.