A pilot social district in the Brooklyn Arts District is closer to becoming a reality following a vote of support from the Wilmington City Council.

The pilot program would allow people to buy an alcoholic drink at a participating establishment (not bring one from home) and consume it anywhere within the designated district. Local business owners and officials say the district would help drive foot traffic during a time when small businesses often see a lull.

On Tuesday night, the Wilmington City Council voted 4-2 in support of an ordinance that authorized approval of the pilot social district. Council members Kevin Spears and Salette Andrews voted against the ordinance while Mayor Bill Saffo was absent from Tuesday’s meeting. Because the item didn't receive a unanimous vote to waive a second reading, it will come before the council again at its next meeting.

The proposed pilot district would encompass a 10-block radius along Fourth Street, from Walnut to North Front streets, and a block section of Red Cross Street to include access to The Eagle's Dare. The pilot would take place on the first three Saturdays in February from noon to 5 p.m.

The Brooklyn Arts District Collective, a cross-section of 20 small business owners from the area, formally brought the request for the pilot district to city officials at the end of October, Deputy City Manager Chad McEwen told the city council on Tuesday. 

Since then, collective members, representatives from Wilmington Downtown Inc. and city staff have held several meetings with city departments, the Wilmington Police Department and the public to discuss the details of the proposal.

McEwen said members of the Brooklyn Arts District Collective are interested in eventually making the district permanent in the area.

“The ordinance in front of you tonight would approve that pilot program,” he told the city council, “but their desire would be a long-term permanent social district consistent with the Saturday option, noon to 5.”

In 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the creation of social districts, McEwen said, which outline parameters for social districts across the state. For example, participating businesses have to serve drinks in cups that include the social district’s logo, display the business’s name and hold no more than 16 fluid ounces. 

At least 55 North Carolina cities currently have a social district, including 15 of the state’s 20 largest cities by population, McEwen said. 

Several council members voiced support for the pilot district on Tuesday while others had questions about logistics. Council member Kevin Spears said the daytime hours and the location of the pilot district gave him pause.

“I may be more on board with this if it was more so centrally located downtown where we have bars, but the Brooklyn Arts District is a community,” Spears said. “I believe, my opinion, that it will heavily impact the neighbors of this community. It just doesn’t really sit right with me for some reason.”

Scott Wagner, the owner of Goat & Compass and a representative from the Brooklyn Arts District Collective, explained the collective proposed district hours between noon and 5 p.m. to coincide with the hours of typically scheduled events. 

“The reason we chose 5 o’clock was specifically for our restaurants in our district because they tend to start dinner service at 5 o’clock,” he said. “So, we wanted to have people come into the district, be able to be adults, move freely within the district … and then stay within the district and help those restaurants, as well.”

Christina Haley, president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown Inc. (WDI), said she’s been in conversation with Wagner and others at the collective about the pilot social district for about a year. Haley said on Wednesday she was pleased with the council’s vote on the matter.

“I think this proposal aligns with WDI's mission in reflecting a shared vision for the district's growth and our dedication to supporting new, thoughtful and unique initiatives that positively impact our businesses,” Haley said.

WDI’s ambassadors plan to assist with clean-up and hospitality during each of the three Saturdays in February. After each social district event, Haley and members of the collective plan to meet with city staff to gauge any needed changes or adjustments.

“This approach positions us to reasonably test the initiative, gauge what works best for our community,” she said. “I think this is a good way to get our feet wet and see what happens,” Haley said about the pilot program.”

Flytrap Brewing Owner Mike Barlas said he supports the pilot district and exploring its potential for the area.

“As a business owner in the Brooklyn Arts District, I feel responsible for giving this a proper chance and am taking it seriously,” Barlas wrote in a statement to the Business Journal. “How could we know what a social district would look like in our community without a test run?  I'm choosing to remain open-minded about it and look forward to seeing how it plays out.”