Members of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly’s administration joined a group of Station Street business owners Thursday in announcing a new, 30-day safety plan for the district two weeks after Kelly issued an executive order mandating a curfew for the businesses.
The executive order issued April 20 has been lifted. Beginning Friday, business owners will again be able to stay open until 3 a.m. in the entertainment district, which includes Station Street.
However, the prohibition on open containers with alcohol outside of establishments during the weekend from 9 a.m. Fridays through 4 p.m. Sundays will remain in effect through the 30 days, as part of a modified executive order.
Also Thursday, the Chattanooga Beer and Wrecker Board handed out a three-day suspension to the Blue Light for failure to close at 1 a.m. in accordance with Kelly’s original order.
Kelly issued the order mandating the bars and restaurants on Station Street stop serving alcohol at 12:30 a.m. and be closed by 1 a.m. in an effort to curb violence in the area. The order went into effect at midnight April 21, though Blue Light owner Brian Joyce told the board the wording was ambiguous.