Charlotte’s First Social District Opens This Spring In Plaza Midwood
Charlotte City Council made it official on October 23rd. With an 8-2 vote, they approved the Plaza Midwood Merchants Association’s application for a social district, a designated area where people can walk around while enjoying alcoholic beverages. It’s the first of its kind in the Queen City and now we’re getting more of the specifics of the plan.
According to the Niner Times, the new Plaza Midwood social district will go into effect in March 2024 and operate seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It stretches from Louise Avenue/10th Street to Morningside Drive along Central Avenue. It will also include portions of Pecan Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and the Plaza. You can see a map HERE.
A big part of the plan is sustainability. Patrons will purchase reusable steel cups that they can fill with beverages from participating bars and restaurants. The cups will likely cost between $5 and $8. Customers can keep the cups to use again or return them for a partial refund. But the main point is to prevent littering.
Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, even Hickory and Kannapolis already have social districts. Plaza Midwood is the test case for Charlotte. If it works there, the concept could conceivable spread to other parts of the city, such as NoDa and South End. We’ll just have to wait and see how it goes this spring.