Officers from the Hopkinsville Police Department were recognized for recent promotions and awards at Tuesday’s Hopkinsville City Council meeting. Following the recognitions, council members approved and discussed forming a downtown entertainment district and zoning recommendations.
From the police department, Officer Jarritt Beasley was promoted to sergeant and Officer Martin Lopez was promoted to captain. Then officers Beasley, Cassidy Woods, Andrew Patino, Michael Ferrell and Chris Little received the Distinguished Group Award for their work on obtaining around 93 pounds of narcotics from a vehicle during a traffic stop.
Council members then turned their attention toward their discussion and approval matters which included the establishment of a downtown entertainment district. The proposed district includes Founder’s Square, the Hopkinsville Bourbon Society, the Alhambra Theater, the Hopkinsville Brewing Company, The Crusty Pig and the Odd Fellows Building.
The ordinance would allow the city to apply for an Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) License from the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in order establish the district. With the license, businesses, non-permanent locations or events within the district can sell alcohol.
Patrons can purchase alcoholic beverages from participating establishments and consume them freely in the district. As she read the ordinance, City Clerk Brittany Byrum says the district will aid in economic growth and tourism in downtown Hopkinsville.
City Financial Officer, Melissa Clayton says the ordinance must be approved before the city can apply for an EDC license. Once the application is submitted, the district and its regulations may be amended.
City Attorney, Doug Willen says state officials will visit Hopkinsville to survey the proposed district before they approve Hopkinsville’s application. Willen says the state’s survey will focus on ensuring that individuals in the district are safe which may result in a heightened law enforcement presence in the area.
The council unanimously approved the establishment of a downtown entertainment district.
Turning toward zoning ordinances, the council approved for 15 unzoned properties on Major and Old Major Lanes to be zoned as a single-family residential district and they also approved for a parcel of land on Young Street to be rezoned as a general business district.