An informational meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday at the Lima Municipal Building for those interested in the opportunities the city is hoping to develop by developing a downtown entertainment district.
Craig Kelly | The Lima News
LIMA — Lima’s civic leadership is hoping to bring more reasons for people to visit the city’s center, and on Tuesday, community members will get the opportunity to learn more about one way the city is hoping to accomplish that goal.
The informational meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Lima Municipal Building, 50 Town Square, will provide information on a Community Entertainment District planned for downtown, running along Main Street from Grand Avenue to the north to Fourth Street in the south, covering parts of Market Street from Metcalf Street to close to Jackson Street, as well as portions of North Street and Spring Street.
Receiving a Community Entertainment District status from the state can allow for the issuance of up to 15 additional D5J licenses to businesses within the designated area — licenses which allow for the sale of beer, wine and spirits. Purchasing this category of license is significantly less than purchasing traditional liquor sales licenses, with the D5J permit fee set at $2,344. Any business wanting to obtain a license must contain a class 2 kitchen certified by the health department as well as at least two restrooms. This is a separate program from the designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) established in downtown Lima that permits outdoor consumption of alcohol in a DORA cup within the area.
“The CED is an important economic development tool that will be used to continue enriching the downtown area,” Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith said. “With all of the amazing things happening in downtown Lima over the coming months, we are confident that the CED will continue to spur on new growth and increase opportunities for area businesses.”
The meeting will include information for interested businesses on how to apply for the license as well as representation from the Lima Police Department to discuss maintaining safety within the district as well as representation from Lima City Council outlining the process for getting these permits approved.
Reach Craig Kelly at 567-242-0391 or on Twitter @cmkelly419.
