Shreveport City Council Rejects Resolution on Alcohol Sales and Extending the Open Container Zone for Humor & Harmony Festival
Shreveport, LA – In a heated session today, the Shreveport City Council voted down a resolution that would have suspended certain provisions of Chapter 10 and the Shreveport Unified Development Code concerning the sale, dispensing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages at the upcoming Humor & Harmony Festival and extended the open container zone to 4 blocks instead of just in the Red River District under the bridge.
The vote, which took place after a 30-minute debate, saw the resolution fail with five council members voting against and only two in favor.
The resolution, introduced by District A Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor without consulting District B Councilman Brooks, who represents the downtown district, faced strong opposition.
District F Councilman James Green, who supported the resolution, engaged in a spirited exchange with Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, questioning why the chief had not advocated for the measure during an administrative meeting the previous day and tried comparing it to Mardi Gras or ArtSpace.
District E Council Chairman Dr. Alan Jackson voiced concerns about the impact of the resolution on local businesses in the Red River District, including Cassandra’s, Fatty Arbuckles Pub, and Club Phoenix. Jackson worried that if these establishments would not allow outside alcohol inside their establishments it could possibly end up hurting these businesses by actually encouraging festival attendees to drink outside rather than patronizing the establishments.
As the festival approaches, it remains to be seen whether new legislation will be introduced to address the issue, and if it will come from a council member outside the downtown district, a pattern that has become a regular occurrence with this council.
