BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
Some downtown Palo Alto business owners aren’t thrilled about the city’s plan to allow open alcohol containers on the closed portion of Ramona Street.
“I would hope to see more merchant enthusiasm,” Councilman Keith Reckdahl said at an Economic Development Committee meeting on Nov. 4.
Reckdahl and new Economic Development Manager Alex Andrade met with business owners on Oct. 28 to discuss a new “entertainment zone” on Ramona Street.
The owners of the Cardinal Hotel, Forest Spa Boutique, De Novo Fine Contemporary Jewelry and Mansoor Fine Jewelers had concerns, according to those at the meeting.
“There’s a lot of discomfort with Ramona, but most of that is about trash or the amenities and the look and the feel of it. I think that alcohol is probably low on the list,” Reckdahl said.
With an “entertainment zone,” businesses could get an event permit to allow for outdoor drinking. Beverages would need to be sold in clear cups that aren’t made of glass or metal, and people drinking would be required to wear a wristband.
The city has already allowed public drinking on California Avenue during live music events on Thursdays. Business owners said the change has had a somewhat positive impact on their businesses, citing either no change or an increase of less than 5% in sales, a city report said.
The city is following the rules of Senate Bill 969, a state law that took effect last year to give more flexibility on outdoor drinking.
Business owners Guillaume Bienaime and Nancy Coupal spoke in favor of the entertainment zone to bring energy to the middle of the street.
“We’re not trying to have house parties. Right now we just have nothing,” said Bienaime, who owns The Pro at 541 Ramona St.
Councilman George Lu said the city should allow drinking while addressing business concerns.
“Some kind of experimentation makes sense,” Lu said at the Economic Development Committee meeting.
So Lu and Reckdahl recommended allowing open alcohol containers for three “pilot” events, with the events ending no later than 9 p.m. The full council will need to approve the new entertainment zone.
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