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Local News

Request for beer and wine at three Thornapple Plaza events tabled

The possibility of  beer and wine at the Thornapple Plaza was discussed at Monday’s Hastings City Council meeting, but sent to city staff for more work before it is reconsidered. A request from the Thornapple Arts Council to allow beer and wine at three summer events at the Thornapple Plaza and street closures at those events, brought differences of opinions from the council.

 

TAC Director Megan Lavell said the Delton Moose Lodge would control the sale of beer and wine, were responsible and had training in preventing over-serving. An area next to the concession stand would be set aside for imbibers.

 

Lavell said TAC is trying to fulfill the intent of the donor who funded the facility, the Baum Family Foundation,  to attract more visitors to the city. “We want to be a destination. Beer and wine are part of the attraction,” she said. City Manager Jeff Mansfield said the city has allowed alcohol at events “at some places every year, with proper restraints.”

 

Councilman Bill Redman said he would not vote for beer and wine at all, adding when the Hastings Rotary Club proposed running the concession stand, they said there would be no alcohol and the council voted yes to that agreement.  Councilman Don Bowers disliked the idea of alcohol being served where there would be children.  

 

“I don’t like the set up” Councilwoman Therese Maupin-Moore said, adding that the Summerfest beer tent is double fenced and enclosed. Councilwoman Brenda McNabb-Stange said she thought alcohol would discourage families from attending events and the street closures, “are a problem.”

 

The TAC asked for street closures on Boltwood from East State Street to Michigan Avenue on June 17, July 15 and Aug. 12 for the Friday Night Features Concerts and the same streets closed for the Sept. 24 Hastings Roots Festival.

 

Several council members asked for a plan with more separation of families from the beer tent and better constraints. Lavell said they were flexible and would work with staff on such a plan.

The council voted to allow the street closures.

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