We're currently putting together a proposal for the city that would allow us to treat home football games as events--the same way we'd treat an outdoor concert or festival.
Bars and restaurants could fence off a section of street directly in front of their business, serve alcohol within this fence, and have activities such as live music. (Unfortunately, because so many game day tourists take Broadway into town, that may be a more difficult street to close.) We'd place extra trash containers and port-a-johns in appropriate locations to handle the larger crowds. Finally, we'd encourage retailers to stay open later at night to take advantage of the crowds and to add to the atmosphere of the evening.
The goal is to create a great pep-rally atmosphere that attracts more customers to District businesses and encourages them to stay longer. Expanding into the street would also allow bars and restaurants extra space to deal with game day crowds.
Help us draft this proposal by answering a few questions for us:
1) Would you be interested in closing a section of street and serving alcohol outside?
2) Instead of closing a street, would you use a patio or parking lot for music and/or outdoor bars?
3) Would you be willing to help us fund extra trash pick ups, port-a-johns or sidewalk bands?
4) If you're a merchant, would you be willing to stay open later on game day?
Please send your answers and any other input to cgartner@discoverthedistrict.com.
Thanks for the help!
