Increase in outdoor events led to officials supporting changes
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With the hopes of making use of such public spaces as the amphitheater, Whitewater officials have given the go-ahead to loosen alcohol prohibitions in public spaces in narrow circumstances.
The Common Council on June 15 approved a resolution waiving the outright alcohol prohibition that has been in place at Cravath Lakefront Park, 301 W. Whitewater St. Elected officials also green lit a pair of ancillary ordinances touching on alcohol consumption on streets, sidewalks and other public spaces.
Prior to the recent changes, Whitewater’s municipal code only allowed for alcohol consumption at public parks with a permit – the caveat being Starin Park and beer tent sales on the Fourth of July.
Eric Boettcher, parks and recreation director, outlined the reason behind the changes at Cravath Lakefront Park in a memo.
“This summer, the parks and recreation department has lined up the event schedule with the City Market to expand opportunities for those attending the market or visiting Cravath Lakefront Park on Tuesday evenings,” Boettcher said.
The goal, Boettcher said, is to bring more seamless synergy to market-related sales and their consumption at nearby special events taking place at the same time.
“Under the current ordinance, the ability to allow alcoholic beverages purchased at the market and then bring those beverages into Cravath Lakefront Park to consume while enjoying the entertainment is not possible,” Boettcher said.
City Manager Cameron Clapper said he and other municipal staffers have been in conversations with Downtown Whitewater Inc., the organization behind the city market.
“This is coming exclusively, or especially, because of the market,” Clapper said. “That’s what’s driving this resolution.”
Since the resolution is tied to the city market, alcohol permissions are allowed from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, from the third week in June to the third week in September.
Adoption of the document is recurring, meaning alcohol will be allowed during the window of time annually and will not have to be revisited next year and beyond.
In addition to specific areas of Cravath Lakefront Park, the resolution lifts alcohol prohibitions on several other nearby spaces, including the Whitewater Historical Society’s parking lot, portions of Fremont Street and its sidewalks and areas south of Whitewater and South James streets.
The city market, which has been a place for farmers, artisans, food carts and similar establishments to sell products, has been a Whitewater mainstay since 2015.
At the recent council meeting, officials also adopted ordinances that take a broader look at alcohol consumption at public parks.
Moving forward, the city manager has the authority to work internally on specific alcohol beverage allowances at parks and other public spaces on a case-by-case basis, rather than bring each request to the council for approval.
Clapper said any future proposals would be done in consultation with other city agencies, namely the Whitewater Police Department.
