In comparison to G’boro’s landfill debate, I kinda made light of Winston-Salem’s debate over late-night downtown dining and drinking. Still, it’s a serious issue: that central planners who want to make downtown everything for everybody must deal with:
…(W)what started as a question about how late-night patrons should be allowed to dine and drink outside has morphed into a discussion about what type of downtown atmosphere is appropriate — and what to do when a restaurant or bar’s right to play music interferes with downtown residents who just want to get some rest.
…..David Poythress, who lives in Winston-Salem’s historic West End neighborhood, said legalizing late-night outdoor drinking and dining could deter people from moving downtown.
“You’re encouraging that party atmosphere that’s in violation of city ordinances,” Poythress said. “We’re not trying to create a Bourbon Street — we’re trying to create a family-friendly atmosphere.”
A little noise is part of the uh, downtown ambiance, is it not?
