Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) introduced legislation in the Ohio Senate today to enable Warren and similar cities to create Local Entertainment Districts. Senate Bill 252 is companion legislation to House Bill 445 sponsored by Representative Tom Letson (D-Warren).
“I want to thank Representative Letson for bringing this issue to the attention of the General Assembly,” said Senator Cafaro. “By changing Ohio law to enable the establishment of Entertainment Districts in cities the size of Warren, we will encourage downtown revitalization and job creation across the state.”
Current Ohio law allows a municipality with a population of 100,000 or more to create a Community Entertainment District and qualify for up to 15 additional liquor permits. State law also allows a municipality of less than 100,000 residents in a county with a population of less than 125,000 to create a Revitalization District, thus qualifying for up to five additional liquor permits. Unfortunately, Warren and other cities across Ohio fall in the gap between these two laws.
SB 252 would allow a municipality of less than 100,000 in a county of more than 125,000 to create a Local Entertainment District. These Local Entertainment Districts would qualify for up to ten additional liquor permits for restaurants and bars.
“This legislation will build on the growth already underway in Warren with the Eastern Gateway Community College and the Warren Business Incubator,” said Senator Cafaro. “When it becomes law, SB 252 will provide a combination of entertainment and dining opportunities for people visiting the downtown area.”
“I want to thank Representative Letson for bringing this issue to the attention of the General Assembly,” said Senator Cafaro. “By changing Ohio law to enable the establishment of Entertainment Districts in cities the size of Warren, we will encourage downtown revitalization and job creation across the state.”
Current Ohio law allows a municipality with a population of 100,000 or more to create a Community Entertainment District and qualify for up to 15 additional liquor permits. State law also allows a municipality of less than 100,000 residents in a county with a population of less than 125,000 to create a Revitalization District, thus qualifying for up to five additional liquor permits. Unfortunately, Warren and other cities across Ohio fall in the gap between these two laws.
SB 252 would allow a municipality of less than 100,000 in a county of more than 125,000 to create a Local Entertainment District. These Local Entertainment Districts would qualify for up to ten additional liquor permits for restaurants and bars.
“This legislation will build on the growth already underway in Warren with the Eastern Gateway Community College and the Warren Business Incubator,” said Senator Cafaro. “When it becomes law, SB 252 will provide a combination of entertainment and dining opportunities for people visiting the downtown area.”
