‘Go Cup’ Proposal For Tupelo Entertainment District Draws Mixed Reviews

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A proposal that would allow people to carry go cups of alcoholic beverages in designated areas is drawing mixed reviews from some Tupelo residents.

The proposed ordinance would let people take their drinks with them when they move from place to place in the yet to be defined entertainment district.

“The general premise of the idea is, if you and your wife are out to eat at a local restaurant and you’re trying to make a play at The Lyric, you can finish off your drink as you walk to The Lyric,” said Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director, Neal McCoy.  He says the idea could bring more tourists and dollars to Tupelo but adds the goal is not to create a wide open street party each night.

“This is not creating a Beale Street area, that is not what our downtown looks like, or even feels like, but it does give the customer another option,” McCoy said.

But with any new venture there are some unknowns that can’t be answered until its tried.  That’s why the ordinance has a built in 6 month trial period.

“Some of those issues, issues with security, issues with public intoxication and then of course, issues with trash and litter and those are some things that will happen and you will really not know the level of it until it gets implemented and we begin to see that,” said Pastor Chris O’ Daniel .  While O’Daniel says he is all about growing the city and its tax base but wonders if that should be done on the back of booze and beer.

“It’s a family friendly type city, we do a lot for families, in our city and of course, that’s going to create issues and problems, parents will start to have to answer questions to their son or daughter, about what’s going on, , what are they drinking, why are they doing that , why did those people get into a fight,” O’Daniel said.

City leaders know there are strong feelings on both sides,  that’s why a public hearing on the go cup proposal is set for March sixth.  The city council could vote on the ordinance by the end of the month.

Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre said there would likely be a need for more police patrols in the district, if the ordinance is approved.