El Dorado has become the second city in the state to approve a designated area for the public consumption and carrying of alcoholic beverages.
The El Dorado City Council approved Thursday an ordinance to create an entertainment district, which would, in part, permit the outside consumption and carrying of alcohol — including mixed drinks, beer and wine — within the boundaries of the district.
The district encompasses several blocks in downtown El Dorado.
Main Street El Dorado and the Murphy Arts District presented the proposed ordinance in accordance with Act 812 of 2019, a state law that was passed in April.
The law goes into effect July 24.
Mountain Home was the first city in Arkansas to establish an entertainment district following the passage of Act 812 of 2019.
Several other cities around the state are considering the measure.
The El Dorado ordinance is restricted to designated hours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and holidays and comes with other conditions.
Council Member Michael Rice, a downtown restaurant owner, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Rice abstained from the vote to adopt the ordinance.
Council members also approved an emergency clause, meaning that the ordinance will simultaneously go into effect with the state law.
Read more in the Sunday edition of the News-Times.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@ eldoradonews.com .