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Ordinance Authorizing the Establishment of a Social District in the Brooklyn Arts District Pursuant to N.C.G.S. §160A-205.4
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Department: |
City Manager |
Meeting Date: |
9/23/2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Chad McEwen |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-765-7821 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Ordinance; Attachment #2: Social District Proposal; Attachment #3: City Social District Standards; Attachment #4: Social District Map; Attachment #5: Map Showing Property Owners Within 500 Feet; Attachment #6: Sample Social District Notification Letter |
PURPOSE:
The City has received an application from the Brooklyn Arts District Collective (“Collective”) requesting authorization to create a social district along a 10-block section of 4th Street from Walnut to North Front Streets. If approved, the requested social district would operate on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in perpetuity, unless or until amended by City Council.
BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year, the Collective requested and received approval from City Council to conduct a social district pilot program on the first three Saturdays in February from 12 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on those days. Feedback from the community, local businesses, and numerous City departments was solicited and received, and that feedback was the basis for the management plan that was created, which governed how the social district pilot program would function. After each of the Saturday events, City staff held a debrief with Wilmington Downtown Inc. (“WDI”) and representatives from the Collective to give the City the opportunity to address issues or concerns that were raised, and to make any necessary adjustments in the management plan.
Although most of the comments received were positive regarding the social district pilot program, a few complaints were received from residents regarding on-street parking not being available during the hours of the program. Many of the free on-street parking spaces present within the Brooklyn Arts District were used by visitors participating in the social district. The City took steps during the pilot program to better inform attendees about the availability of structured parking at the Skyline and CFCC decks. Utilization of the Skyline deck reflected higher parking numbers on the 3rd Saturday than on the 1st Saturday due to the City’s efforts.
Following the completion of the pilot program, a final report and presentation were provided to City Council on March 31, 2025, and City staff was instructed to develop policies and procedures outlining how groups could apply for social districts moving forward. Those standards were subsequently drafted and approved by City Council on July 15, 2025.
On July 23, 2025, the Collective submitted an application for a social district with the same footprint as the pilot program, which would operate every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The approved guidelines require one community engagement meeting, but the Collective held two community engagement meetings at the Brooklyn Arts Center (August 12th and 19th). All property owners within 500 feet of the proposed district were mailed a notification letter advising them of the application and the meeting dates, times, and locations. Over 420 unique property owners received this notification letter. Both meetings were well attended by business owners and residents, and several concerns were discussed, primarily the impact the social district will have on the availability of the free on-street parking spaces that many of the residents in the area rely on. As part of the management plan submitted by the Collective, sandwich board notification was also posted throughout the district containing pertinent information regarding the application.
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BUDGET IMPACT:
There are no anticipated budget impacts related to this item.
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RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
As required by the guidelines, the Social District Advisory Committee (“Committee”) held meetings on August 21st and September 4th to review the application. Based on these two meetings, and after considerable discussions amongst the Committee members and the Collective, the following amended recommendation was agreed to, subject to all of the standards and requirements already set forth by the City.
Boundaries of Social District:
The proposed social district boundaries will maintain a strict outline, including businesses along 10 blocks of N. 4th Street and a single extension of one block west on Red Cross Street.
1. Northern Boundary: Extends to Pizzeria Don Luca at 1215 N. 4th St., ending at N. Front Street.
2. Southern Boundary: Reaches Flytrap Brewing at 319 Walnut St., ending at the corner of 4th and Walnut.
3. Eastern Boundary: This boundary encompasses businesses along the south side of Red Cross Street and includes The Eagles Dare at 420 N. 3rd St. Beverages are permitted on the south side of Red Cross Street ONLY for access to The Eagles Dare from North 4th Street. The north side of Red Cross Street is NOT permitted for the Social District.
Dates and Hours of Operation for the Recommended Social District:
The recommendation is to authorize the requested social district to operate from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, as opposed to the request to operate every Saturday, as originally requested. At the conclusion of these hours, the district will officially close, district sandwich boards will be removed from sidewalks, and alcohol consumption will revert to inside ABC-permitted establishments only.
Specific dates of operation of the social district are as follows:
• October 4th and 18th, 2025
• November 1st and 15th, 2025
• December 6th and 20th, 2025
• January 3rd and 17th, 2025
• February 7th and 21st, 2025
• March 7th and 21st, 2025
Other Special Conditions of Approval:
1) The Committee and the Collective agreed to a six-month trial period for a social district twice a month to provide the opportunity to identify and attempt to address issues that arise. The Committee discussed this compromise to evaluate the viability of a possible expansion of the social district to every Saturday, as originally requested by the Collective. Following the completion of the six-month trial period, the social district will continue to operate every 1st and 3rd Saturday, and the Committee will assess any issues that arose and determines if a recommendation to City Council to amend the ordinance, for either more or less dates and hours of operation, is appropriate.
2) The City will provide signage along the major roads around the proposed social district stating that “social district parking” is available at the Skyline deck. In addition, the City, WDI, and the Collective will promote parking in the deck in all marketing material related to the social district.
3) The Collective and WDI will supplement the traditional trash disposal and collection levels of service provided by the City during and after each Saturday event.
4) The City will establish a loading zone along the 700 block of 4th Street to allow residents to load and unload their vehicles.