Avondale is the City of Birmingham’s newest Entertainment District

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Birmingham City Council passed a resolution Tuesday designating Avondale as the Avondale Entertainment District.

The boundaries of the entertainment district allow for open containers of alcohol to be carried outside of establishments, and in turn, increase foot traffic in areas that are developed for music, restaurants and bars.

Local business owners say it will promote growth, and allow for new entertainment options.

“We’re really excited, this was probably 3 years in the making, we are really happy to have the entertainment district. we think it’s going to do a lot for the neighborhood, it allows us to be more creative with the neighborhood in a collaborative way,” says Michael Sellers, he is one of the owners of Avondale Brewing Company.

It’s also a much needed economic boost, after the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since March 16th it’s been bleak for everyone in the service industry, so anything we can do to help make up for those 3 or 4 months and now with 50 % capacity we area ll operating with a hand behind our back so any regulation that can be loosened or opportunity we have to help general revenue we are loosing is important,” says Sellers. “It expands people’s dining rooms, expands their ability to make revenue outside their 4 walls, especially when those 4 walls are half of what they used to be.”

Sellers also says he think it could increase security in the area. the ordinance requires each business to have extra security on hand, and will mean more people will be outside.

“Having this pedestrian aspect to it allows us to create a more safe environment,” says Sellers.

This is now the fourth entertainment district in Birmingham.

The other three are Uptown, Pepper Place and Five Points South.

State law allows Class 1 municipalities in Alabama to have as many as five entertainment districts.

The Avondale Entertainment District goes into effect July 1.