Simply stroll down Los Angeles’ iconic Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica , and it’s easy to see why the once-thriving shopping and dining area is in trouble. There are a ton of vacant retail and restaurant spaces, and few people can be seen walking around or sitting in the oversized Adirondack chairs that line the three-block, car-free stretch. Some spots that used to house major retailers have since been taken over by gimmicky Instagram installations, and — despite being just blocks from the ocean — there’s little sense that tourism is coming back any time soon.
That is, unless the city of Santa Monica steps in. Officials there have recently come up with a plan to revitalize the area, and it involves booze. According to KNX News , the city has proposed allowing open alcohol consumption every day from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. in designated areas along the Third Street Promenade. The dramatic change would mean that anyone over 21 would be able to walk freely up and down the once-iconic promenade, drink in hand, at practically any hour of the day.
“City staff had initially recommended a one-year pilot program to allow open alcohol consumption on the Promenade during at least three ‘special events,’” according to KNX News. “But this week, City Council told staff to develop a more ambitious plan that would allow public drinking from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. seven days a week.”…