Lansing is getting a new social district. Here's what you need to know about it
LANSING — Area residents soon will have one more outdoor area where they can enjoy open alcohol and food from nearby restaurants.
Lansing City Council Monday approved the creation of a fourth outdoor social district, extending a concept put in place two years ago in downtown, Old Town and REO Town to the $260 million Red Cedar development and a portion of Frandor.
Here's what you need to know about social districts, what they allow for and what businesses will be impacted by the addition of a new one.
What are social districts?
Social districts are designated areas where customers of participating eateries and businesses with liquor licenses located within the boundaries can purchase alcoholic drinks and enjoy them while walking around or relaxing outside within the district's commons area.
"I think it's just another way for folks to engage with downtown or in commercial districts when there's close proximity among different vendors," Lansing Economic Development Corporation Vice President Kris Klein said. "It can activate the street and can allow for different events and things."
Lansing's three original social districts were established in the spring of 2021, in part to allow for outdoor socializing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can find maps outlining the boundaries of each district and participating businesses at https://www.downtownlansing.org.
Where is the Lansing's newest district?
The new "Red Cedar/South Frandor Social District" encompasses a portion of Frandor and the growing Red Cedar development with an established commons area bordered by East Michigan Avenue that includes Hooked, a wine bar, coffee and book store, and Old Bag of Nails, a restaurant.
Participating businesses can only include "license permitted liquor license establishments," Klein said. "The businesses themselves will have to apply to the liquor control commission for a social district permit."
And while the existing commons area encompasses the Red Cedar development, Klein said the City Council could vote to expand the commons area to include businesses in Frandor in the future.
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What businesses plan to take advantage of it?
Management at both Hooked and Old Bag of Nails say they are interested in participating in the newly created social district.
Tim Miller, vice president of operations at Old Bag of Nails, said nine of the chain's locations in Ohio already fit within and participate in established social districts. The Lansing location opened in October in a newly constructed, two-story building off Cascade Boulevard.
"Our earliest social district was probably established 10 years ago," Miller said. "We definitely want to take advantage of it."
Matt Grossman, co-owner of Hooked, said he's advocated for the creation of new a social district since the business opened.
"I participate as a customer in the social district in downtown Lansing along the river, and it's just helpful to be able to do other things while also not necessarily staying in the restaurant," he said. "There should be places for people to congregate in Red Cedar."
Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing is getting a new social district. Here's what you need to know
