Social District Survey
Social District Survey
The Town of Wendell is considering the adoption of a Downtown Social District in order to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown, spur economic growth, and maintain community character. A social district can be a tool to ensure that the Downtown offers a vibrant mix of businesses that are centered on food, beverage and retail.
Since the legislation was passed in September 2021, over 20 communities across North Carolina have created their own social districts with many more under consideration or in some phase of development. These communities are as large as Raleigh or Greensboro, and as small as places like Albemarle and Newton.
A social district is a defined area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by a bar or restaurant within the social district. A social district includes public and private property including both indoor and outdoor areas and enables a customer to order a drink from one establishment and walk around within the district and into other businesses within the district, even participants that don't serve alcohol. These drinks would be served in specific Wendell Social District cups, so businesses and law enforcement know where the drink was purchased. Businesses inside the district can opt out and choose not to participate if they wish. The district must have specific days and hours of operation, and there would be signs installed along the boundaries of the district indicating that you are entering or leaving the social district as well as information on the district such as a map and the days and hours of operation.
As part of the community engagement process, the Town would like your feedback on these specific questions. There will be more opportunities for public discussion at a later time.
Below is an example of map of what a potential Downtown Social District could look like. You can provide feedback on the map in the last question of the survey.
