The Downtown Casper Business Association has called on the City Council to revise the boundaries of the open container zone in downtown Casper, Wyoming. Co-presidents Kyleen Stevenson-Braxton and Kristy Bussey highlighted the current boundaries as confusing for patrons and unfair to business owners. They pointed out that certain streets in the downtown core are excluded, creating legal inconsistencies for patrons leaving businesses.
Stevenson-Braxton emphasized that under the current rules, a person could legally walk in three directions but would violate the law if they chose a fourth direction. The association also requested that the city attorney redefine the term ‘premises’ to mean the entire open container boundary rather than individual establishments.
City Council’s Response
During the council meeting, Councilor Amber Pollock, who owns Backwards Distillery, critiqued the existing approach, noting it fosters a bar crawl atmosphere rather than enhancing retail density. Pollock stated, “The goal is to activate downtown, including all retail, and use open container policies to facilitate free movement while enjoying beverages and visiting retail locations.”
Councilor Brandy Haskins requested that the council revisit the rules, especially after the successful use of the policy at the recent Funky Junk street fair. Vice Mayor Kyle Gamroth supported a comprehensive discussion on the boundaries and extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays, which he felt had been overlooked.
Mayor Ray Pacheco proposed maintaining the current extended hours with a standing resolution on June 2, while dedicating a work session to redrawing boundaries before a final vote. Pacheco praised the success of the Funky Junk event, calling David Street Station a “crown jewel” of the city.
Additional Discussions
Resident Ross Schriftman expressed concerns about the city’s reliance on sin taxes and the upcoming vote on an optional 1% sales tax. Councilor Pat Sweeney defended the tax, citing its importance for supporting facilities like the Youth Crisis Center.
The council also celebrated the financial impact of regional events, with Councilor Michael McIntosh highlighting a new contract to host eight Wyoming high school sports tournaments, projected to generate a $24 million impact on the local economy.
Additionally, Councilor Pollock updated the council on the Hogadon Basin Ski Area’s challenging winter season, noting user groups’ appreciation for the mountain staff’s efforts. Pollock and Sweeney also discussed upcoming utility costs, with a steady 3% wholesale rate increase anticipated for the Regional Water system.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
