Rivertown has seen considerable public investment and planning studies over the past 30 years, but it's never thrived like Kenner officials hoped. Now they're hoping booze will help. The City Council voted 7-0 Thursday night to exempt property in Kenner's historic downtown from laws that ban alcohol sales within 300 feet of a church, synagogue, library, playground or school....
Rivertown has seen considerable public investment and planning studies over the past 30 years, but it's never thrived like Kenner officials hoped. Now they're hoping booze will help.
The City Council voted 7-0 Thursday night to exempt property in Kenner's historic downtown from laws that ban alcohol sales within 300 feet of a church, synagogue, library, playground or school. There was no discussion, but Councilman Gregory Carroll earlier said the move is designed to enliven the area.
"We want to get other businesses and restaurants to come in," said Carroll, whose district includes Rivertown.
Stand-alone bars are still banned, but the new exemption will make Rivertown more attractive for restaurateurs, Carroll said. In addition, it will make it easier for the operators of the Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts to sell wine at intermissions, he said.
Carroll said the change was recommended by Kenner's Rivertown advisory board and that he anticipates no pushback from nearby churches, notably Pilgrim Baptist and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic.
