Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Common Council passed Resolution No. 2022-992 Establishing the Plymouth Riverfront Development District. This will allow for businesses within an established radius of the Yellow River bank to apply for a permit to sell alcoholic beverages on premises.
City of Plymouth Attorney Sean Surrisi said the initiative has been discussed among the Mayor’s Administration and the downtown business owners for some time.
The provision in the Indiana Alcohol Statute allows for increased availability for beer, wine and liquor licenses within the designated district; which also includes the Historic Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
The Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) establishes a quota for how many licenses are obtainable based on the size of the community; at this time all of those licenses for Plymouth have been issued.
For a business or organization to apply, they will be required to obtain the recommendation of the Mayor and the Common Council. The Permitee will also be required to meet additional requirement set forth by the ABC.
The Riverfront Development District Beer, Wine and/or Liquor license will not be transferable to another individual or business unlike a regular Beer, Wine, or Liquor License with property interest.
Both types of permits are tightly regulated.
Randy Danielson spoke in favor of the district; even apart from the Rees initiative. He detailed that the City of Plymouth has made $21 M in investments in and around the downtown supporting twelve Placemaking Projects over the past decade. “I think as a community we need to also put in to place incentives that also attract even greater investments by private investors.
Danielson is involved in the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) Grant Program. St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall County were awarded a $50 M grant opportunity to enhance and illuminate economic development in their respective locations.
Danielson spoke favorably on behalf of downtown business owners who could not be present for the meeting. He emphasized the channels of approval required to obtain the permits and the benefits to the community.
Rees Executive Director Dennis McKeen said, “I think it’s an exceptional idea to open it up for future investors.”
Marshall Clevenger, Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation (PIDCO) Board Member and Plymouth Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) Board Member, read a letter written by President of PEDC Board of Directors Jack Davis detailing the support of the board for the initiative. “PEDC has most recently directed our efforts towards the promotion and growth of small businesses in the Plymouth downtown. We recognize that the downtown is vital in the strength of a community. Continued efforts to promote and expand our current businesses while being part of the efforts to grow new business is built within our mission.”
$70,000 has been distributed in the form of grants and loans for COVID support through the cooperative efforts of PEDC and the City of Plymouth. PEDC is committed to continued support. “This resolution will strengthen the tools available to those interested in economic development of not only the downtown area of Plymouth and the Riverfront District, but in effect our whole community. The PEDC Board strongly urges passage of this resolution.”
Clevenger, who owns 1500 square footage of historic business in downtown, also spoke in favor of the resolution. For years he has wanted to establish a restaurant bar within that space. “The goal is to have a vibrant downtown.” In support of that, Clevenger has offered almost-free rent in support of that.
He detailed that entrepreneurs and restaurant hopefuls have struggled “behind the eightball”; which was further compounded by COVID. The inability to apply for a liquor license was a major inhibitor for several individuals.
Clevenger noted that more than one of the available licenses in Plymouth are sitting stalemate not being used. “There’s a couple that are sitting stalemate. That’s the problem when you have that limited number but then they sit stalemate for a while that doesn’t really help the downtown business. Yes it is a profitable thing. They can lease those out. I know that they can lease those to other people. It becomes very profitable to sit on something; which in my opinion is part of the issue with our downtown. It becomes profitable to sit and wait and see everything go up around you and see your property values go up. So this kind of thing is beneficial to the downtown. It is beneficial to growth… to expansion…and especially with all the work that has been done with the Rees Theater, this has just become a real destination. Giving people an option to get restaurants and bars in the downtown would be phenomenal so it has all of our support at least.”
Councilman Jeff Houin had Surrisi confirm the establishment of the Riverfront District only removes the quota restriction; not other qualifying factors for obtaining a one, two, or three-way license. Surrisi confirmed is correct.
The Council then unanimously approved Resolution No. 2022-993 A Resolution Recommending the Rees Theatre Inc. for Issuance of a Permit to Sell Alcoholic Beverages at the Premises Located at 100 N. Michigan Street within the Plymouth Riverfront Development District. The resolution details the statutory requirements of what will need to be demonstrated for the applicant to be considered for a license within the Riverfront District.
