Open alcohol containers banned in Fort Worth’s popular West 7th entertainment district
People leaving the bars in the popular West 7th Street entertainment district can no longer take their drinks with them when they leave the establishments.
On Tuesday, the city council voted unanimously to ban open containers in the West 7th Street area which includes Montgomery Plaza, Crockett Row and an area between University Drive and Carroll Street with West Fifth Street as the northern boundary, according to a map in the city report.
Mayor Mattie Parker said businesses and residents in the area seem to be on board with banning the open containers.
“I think it is one step in a long process to change the face and shape of the West 7th area to support that entertainment district. With that, I enthusiastically move to approve,” she said.
The decision to ban the open containers came after residents and businesses expressed concerns over a 15% increase in the crime rate and an 8% increase in underage drinking during the first 10 months of this year, according to information from the city.
In late May, two people were hospitalized after someone opened fire outside of the Varsity Tavern, and in October, the person accused of the shootings was killed in a quadruple homicide.
A woman also reported that she was raped in the West 7th area.
Assistant police chief Robert Alldredge said Tuesday that the open container ban is a tool that officers can use for enforcement. He also said during a previous council meeting that most of the crimes in the West 7th district are committed outside drinking establishments by young adults between the ages of 18 and 20.
Texas doesn’t ban public alcohol consumption, but cities can ban open containers in central business districts that are defined as areas where at least 90% of the land is zoned for commercial purposes.
Montgomery Plaza zoning case delayed
On Tuesday night, the council also discussed the proposal to build apartments on the current site of several stores in Montgomery Plaza including PetSmart and Five Below. The zoning case has been continued until Dec. 13.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck, whose district includes Montgomery Plaza, made a motion to continue the case as residents and business owners are close to reaching a consensus, she said.
She added that the 30-day extension will allow more time to complete construction on 7th Street.
“It is kind of a nightmare right now, I’ll be the first to admit it,” she said.
Beck said she also “trusts” city staff regarding analyses of the various traffic studies, and said she feels confident in their assessments.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 10:11 PM.